RECEPTION TO HON. J. G. COATES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 27 November 1919, Page 3

RECEPTION TO HON. J. G. COATES.

HIS WORK AS A SOLDIER

EULOGISED

It is the rule in Kaukapakapa that when any member of the Expeditionary Force belonging to the district returns home from active service, the settlers set themselves out to give him a reception, which for enthusiasm is hard to surpass in districts of its size. The Hon, Mr Coates, who spoke in Kaukapakapa on Friday night last, was singled out for a particularly happy greeting from a large gathering of people of the district in thelocal hall, in which the Minister arranged to deliver an address in connection with his candidature for the Kaipara seat.

Mr F. Dye, councillor for the Kaukapakapa riding of the Waitemata County Council, who presided, in a neat speech, said that before Mr Coates commenced his address, he had on behalf of the settlers of Kaukapakapa to welcome him first as a returned soldier and second as a Minister of the Crown. There were, very few people in the North who did not know of Major Coates's record at the front —not from Mr. Coates himself, as they knew it was difficult to get him to talk about the war. but from the boys who had been associated with him in action, and knew the Major's work —and these boys were in a position to know his work. He had been told that Major Coates with his men, "The Gum Diggers," had achieved some very daring successes in exploits which many other officers would probably have dismissed as foolhardy to attempt to undertake. Kaukapakapa felt honoured to have Mr Coates as its member, and at the same time wanted to show its appreciation of his work as a soldier and as member for the district. He had also to congratulate Mr Coates on his appointment to the Ministry which, he would like to say, was very pleasing to the district Mr Coates represented and likewise to himself. He knew that Mr Coates would do his work in his capacity as a Minister as well as he had done it as a soldier and as member for the North, and predicted for him a very successful ministerial career Mr Dye called upon those present to give threaiiearty cheers for Mr Coates, which were lustily given and followed by the singihg of " For he's a jolly good I Fellow,"

Mr Coates, on rising to reply, was enthusiastically applauded. It was difficult for him, he said, to express his feelings of appreoiation of the very kind remarks made by the chairman, and of the kindly way the audience had treated him. He would long remember the reception the Kaukapakapa people had accorded him. The eulogistio remarks made were, he thought, better deserved by the men at the front with whom he had served. It was true, as Mr Dye had stated, that the men of the North, the 15th Regiment, were called a striking name, not "The Gum Diggers," but another name which quite accurately described their daring and magnificent work in the front line. These men h,ad, done wonderful things which certainly gave great prestige not only to the Empire but to the district to whioh they belonged, They could not be sufficiently eulogised for their courage and splendid soldiery. Now that their war work was over he hoped that all would settle down and tackle the big jobs ahead of them, which were of even greater importance than those they had at the front. This oountry, like others, had reached an unparalleled phase in its history, and it was now that the services of strong, virile men. men that were loyal'to their country, were required to straighten out and settle the problems which confronted us,, and it was for those that possessed means and those that did not to work together to produce a common level for the general good and well-being of all, He hoped that the jobs lying ahead of the men and women of the Dominion would be tackled as steadfastly and as enthusiastically as th.is country, had tackled the. energy, and thus bring about a greater, prosperity and contentment than now existed. (Applause),