The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14th. 1927. THE PRIME MINISTER’S RETURN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14th. 1927. THE PRIME MINISTER’S RETURN

To-day the lit. Hon. the Prime Minister and Mrs Coates, with their staff return to New Zealand, and thanks to the marvels of wireless, we are advised in advance that they are all returning in good health. As to the tour, the main objective of Mr Coates’ occasion to visit England was a historic success. The Imperial Conference of P92G is regarded ns a milestone in the history of the British Empire, and has reasspcinted all parts of the fhn-

j pire in a wonderful family conclave such as never before. 'I hanks again, to the marvels of wireless many New -..Zealanders have had the opportunity of hearing the Prime Minister of the 1 Commonwealth speak over the air in regard to the Imperial Conference, and have had an opportunity of learning something of the length and breadth of the thought displayed which ended in a new and certainly a better understanding of their obligations one to the other. As to the Conference itself. a very cordial tribute lias been paid Mr Coates by some of the British Ministers as to his part at the Conference table. Mr Cottles had his spurs to win. There is no doubt he has done excellently and New Zealand lias not .suffered ill prestige by his representation rather has the Dominion gained in honor and credit at Home by the modest and sincere methods which Mr Coates adopted to expound the views and standing of New Zealand towards the Motherland and "the Empire at large. There is reason to believe that the note of intense loyalty which Mr Coates struck on every occasion, and the whole-hearted acceptance of Great Britain’s generous treatment of the overseas dominions, had their effect oil the general tone of the Conference. It came to he realised that New Zealand, the most distant outpost of Empire, had cultivated an attachment through the happiest of associations, that here was an example and instance of the true Imperial spirit, and if that were good for farflung Dominions, surely it had some efficacy for those Dominions nearer the Empire rent re. And so there came about an evolution of the- thought and action which gave the ('inference as a whole an outstanding character, and one that was epoch-making in its farreaching effect. Mr Coates contributed undoubtedly to that happy consummation and deserves credit for his success. Since the Conference, Mr Coates has travelled considerably. He toured many parts of the Baited Kingdom and Ireland, and paid a respectful visit to the battlefields of France, and returning through Canada and part of the States, spoke modestly and sensibly on all occasions. Mr Conte® never lost an opoprtunity to put New ■Zealaml in the forefront. The Dominion will he more widely and better known because of his tour. His visit to so many parts afforded the opportunity for the personal touch as it were, and that we know is everything where folk are anxious to glean knowledge and information of a new land. Mr Coates returns to us with honors thick upon him. No doubt lie has enjoyed the respite and change. We hope lie lias, for there is much serious work awaiting him here on his return. His colleagues will he glad to see their leader back for they have had serious problems to grapple with. There are difficult days ahead industrially and from a trade point of view, to say nothing of finance. The dislocation which has been going oil lias produced such a crop of unemployment as lias never been experienced before at this seasonal time. Mr Contes has a problem to face. He can liardlv have a remedy directly at hand, hut something has to ho done, and done quickly. While congratulating him on his safe return the public will he anxious to know what ran best be done to remove present day difficulties.