PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO FRANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1927, Page 1

PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO FRANCE.

IX TER ESI/IXG ACCOFXT OR TOUR. DU NMD IX, .March 23. Alter dealing with the request put Jonvard by a deputation from the Returned Soldiers Association this afternoon the Prime .Minister (the lion .1. G. Coates) sail! lie wished to express his thanks for tile welcome extended to him and to state how pleased lie "as to meet members of the association. lie would do all lie could to see if the Government could get satisfaction for the men in the matter of artificial limbs.

“While we were away,” said Mr Coates. “We had an opportunity of going over the old sports grounds in

Prance.” (Laughter), 'the place was much the same as when the New Zealand troops were l here. Mr Coates said that the War Graves Commission

had paid great attention to l lie graves everywhere, and they owed a great deal to the men in trance who were attending .-o splendidly to the resting places of tlic soldiers uho lust their lives. About SCO men were engaged in the work of erecting headstones, and the completion ol the task was approaching. Time had not made any difference to the French who still had a great, admiration for New Zealanders. and Mr.-. Coates and he had had a splendid reception everywhere they vent. The people were most sincere in their inquiries about New Zealand, any anything in regard to the Dominion was of interest to them.

The Prime Minister, whose remarks were listened to with keen attention, spoke in an interesting way about the various places visited by him.

At the conclusion of his remarks Mr Coates was accorded three hearty cheers, and those present sang, 'Tor He’s a Jolly Good Fellow. ’’ He then made an inspection of the club's pre-