COMPLIMENT PAID

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 5

COMPLIMENT PAID

TO MR COATES

BY RESIDENTS OF ELTHAM. fPe Prest Association — Copyright.) ELTHAM, June 27. A unique compliment was paid to,day to the acting Prime Minister, Mr 'Coates, prior to proceeding to Rawera to open the Winter Show. Mr Coates stayed overnight privately at Eltham and r,s he was leaving, he whs waited upon by the Mayor (Mr Briclger) on behalf of the citizens of Eltham. Mr Bridger said that Eltham had no requests and no complaints. Rather the citizens desired to take the opportunity expres s their sympathy with Mr Coates, and their high appreciation of his efforts to steer the ship of State through the present difficult times.

Mr Coate s said that in times of stress there was always a tendency to blame the powers that be, hence Eltham’s expression of goodwill all the more acceptable. Alluding to the small farm settlement scheme. iMr Coates said . the change over, in admin'stration had necessarily led to some delay, Referring to the employment of tinlit*’breaking i in land for settlement, Mr—Goatee s&id that some of these would be selected as settlers. As regards the Improved small farm areas, the problem, at the moment was to find ...land, and he .foresaw some difficulty on this score. There could be no question of the w'sdom of settling as many people a s the State could on suitable aeas a« soon as possible. He was confident the majority would make good. It w's very heartening to see the type of settlers offering, men and women well equipped mentally and physicallv. , a nd under no illusions as to what life on the land meant for them. It would be a terrific asset for the. national good the moment ithese people were able to fend for themselves. ..:y v