MAJOR COATES WELCOMED

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1919, Page 2

MAJOR COATES WELCOMED

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.

At the conclusion of the pubtfJQKt meeting on Thursday in connection with railway matters, an official welcome home was given Major Coates at the returned soldiers' social in the Star Theatre, at which there was a record attendance. The Chairman of the Town Board, Mr J. Stewart, in introducing the guests £ of the evening (Major Coates, M.C, and Pvt. J. Reynard, M.M.) ; spoke in high terms of their services to the Empire, of which the district felt very proud. Unanimous applause, cheers, and " They are jolly good 'fellows," greeted Major Coates as he rose to reply. After expressing delight at '"' being back among the people of New Zealand, and appreciation of the warm welcome extended to him, Major Coates spoke of the good work done by the N.Z. Division as a whole, and the high esteem in which they were held in the Old Country, ranking among the five best sections of the British Army. The war had. taught us many lessons, and had developed the spirit of comradeship, and desire to give every man and woman a chance in the world's race. The returned soldier should prove a valuable asset to the country. His mind had been broadened by travel, he was no longer insular; he had seen the great manufacturing cities of the world, and he j realised the need for the development and utilization of our own latent industries. A reconstruction policy was necessary, with the best men at the head of affairs. The speaker also mentioned the debt we owe the British Navy, and the fact that not one of our transports to and from New Zealand had been sunk. In outlining his journey- | ings at the front (as a Bill », Massey tourist), Major Coates I gave evidences of the brutalities of the Germans and the crippled j ;< state of Belgium. Germany's ,: 1 manufactories were, however, ' ; untouched and ready to resume >; work, and he felt perfectly as t ? sured that Germany could wel' ' afford to pay the indemnity de ; s manded by the Allies.

Mr C. J. Parr, M.R for Eden, -. o in the course of short speech, ■ said that, on behalf of the city ! f . folk, he would like to join in| 1 welcoming Major Coates, whom j . they all recognised as one of the i o most distinguished officers who i had left these shores. He also j,. eulogised the work of boys at the ' *?; front, and prophesied a great ' ' future for the country and those who returned. i

During the evening several musical items were rendered. ■ Miss M. Vercoe presided at the ! • piano, and her playing was voted I as excellent. Supper was handed ! round and greatly appreciated J ' and the arrangements generally! "■* reflect great credit on they *. Kaipara Returned Soldiers' As-j----sociation. j