THE MEMBER FOR KAIPARA,

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 January 1913, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR KAIPARA,

ADDRESS BY MR COATES

In the statement made at the social tendered to the Prime Minister at Dargaville, Mr Coates, M.P,, said a member of parliament got more kicks than half-pence. If he was not the man Kaipara wanted, ha was quite willing to stand down. How-. ever, he would make a big effort to win again at the next election. At last election he hud pledged himself to vote for the Ward Administration during the first'session, which he had done In view of the changes which followed, as an independent he had been perfectly free and he had had to review the whole position. He had pledged himself to the freehold, to a Civil Service Board, and to the settlement of native lands, and he had to consider which party would help in these directions. With some members of the Mckenzie Ministry he was ( satisfied,but six out of nine were leosfi holders, and one had urged that all lands should be taxec 1. This did not suit him, and so he had elected to support Mr. Massey. No blow had been struck at Liberalism or progress Mr. Massey's Government was trying to give a square deal to every settler and worker, and they had two years in which to prove themselves. Anyway, he (Mr Ooates) would help them. It was no use anyone saying he was not in sympathy with labour, for he was. They wanted Mr. Massey to open the Crown, rn'ivnto and native lands, the North Auckland was not suitable for conservation. A match would settle the question of the kauri bush. Forests and gum areas required to be opened for settlement. In defence matters he advocated co-operation with Australia, and a bigger share of Imperial burdens. Our 12s a head taxation Avas not fair as compared with 32s in the Old Land. New Zealand, too, should have a chance of manning her own boats. Some people talked of Kaipara's silent member,but let them talk; he was first going to listen and learn. Mr.Coates was given a good hearing.—Bell,