PREMIER AT EDEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1926, Page 1

PREMIER AT EDEN.

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, April 13. Ait* Coates spoko in the street to a crowded audience at Kingsland tonight. Air Coates replied to a number of allegations made by Air Holland in Auckland recently, -and then defined his (Coates’s) attitude to the Eden bye-election controversy. The. meeting was a noisy one at times, but Reform supporters largely predominated, and Mr Coates met with a hearty reception throughout. Air Coates explained he had entered this contest solely because Mr Holland had done so. He. intended to reply to Alt* Holland. Ho denied that tho Government was out to help the wealthy. It recognised its responsibility to till classes, even if it cost money to assist those in need of Help. It wins untrue that tho Government was contemplating drastic retrenchment. in consequence of tne country’s financial- position. All. he said, that the Government expected to do was to exercise economy, and to husband the country through what was expected to be a difficult period. Regarding tho charge that ho’ bad broken his promise that no railway workshops employees would, bo dismissed under tbe reorganisation scheme. Air Coates snid that- ho had endeavoured to reduce tho staffs by transfers, hut- it- had been necessary to dispense with tlio services of some short-term casuals, a number of whom had declined to transfer. The Secretary of the Tradesmen’s Association, (Mr Ingham) had stated that no blame was attachable to the Afinister in the matter.

Dealing with the position in tho Eden election. Air Coates declared that nothing had happened since the general election to justify a want of confidence in tho Government. He lytd investigated tho complaints about the selection of a candidate. He had interviewed one candidate personally. After'taking time to consider he had found the selection quite in order, and saw no reason to interfere. Ho had asked no one to withdraw, but ho had asked ail true men and women to get behind the candidate selected by the delegates. Afr Coates declared that Miss Alelville, if she had been selected, would have boon accepted by the party without hesitation. He sard Labour was very keen to see Miss Melville poll well, because it wanted to he the official opposition. He had every respect for AT.iss Alelville, but he said tho duty of Government supporters was to support the official candidate.

Alt* Coates received a rote of thanks and confidence by acclamation, with loud cheering. The Prime Afinister leaves for AA’ellington to-morrow night.