THOUSANDS OF TRIBUTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2959, 7 November 1925, Page 2

THOUSANDS OF TRIBUTES.

PREMIER. INUNDATED WITH

TELEGRAMS. “NEW ZEALAND RECOGNISES A LEADER.” An election is not generally regarded as a means of revenue, but in the Prime Minister’s ease it was (says the Dominion). The thousand thousands of telegrams received by the Hon. J. G. Coates since the night of the election (making three big piles in the Prime Minister’s office), and which were still pouring in from all quarters yesterday, must have meant something in revenue, but they mean a great deal more to Mr. Coatejs. They will constitute one of the bon mots when the history of his first election battle as Prime Minister of the country comes to be chronicled. From the moment his great victory was assured, telegrams and cablegrams were flashed not only from all parts of the Dominion, but from the United Kingdom, Vancouver, Sydney, and Melbourne, representing many shades of thought. “You well deserve your victory,” said one message, characteristic of thousands; “gives crushing blow to the Reds; New Zealand recognises a leader.” While many telegrams warmly congratulated Mr. Coates on his success, there were hundreds into which a novel turn been introduced, such as: “Heartiest congratulations on magnificent victory. Feel confident the good ship New Zealand will steam peacefully to calm seas of prosperity with your strong hand at the helm,” And another reading: “Good morning, Gordon. How’s that, eh? New Zealand’s chance.” There was a fine turn reminiscent of election night in the telegram that stated: “Good Gracious! you do get things done.” and the admirer who wanted to show that brevity was the soul of wit, with the four telegraphed words, “Thank God and you.” The problem of Mr. Coates’ huge majority of seats no doubt presented itself rather forcibly to the man who wired: “Good God; what are you going to do with them all.” There were, hundreds of messages also from those who remembered Mr. Coates in France, and from some of those who had actually served under him. “Over the top and the enemv routed,” said one from what might lie called the military category. “I said the “diggers’ were with von. They have said it now. Tres bon, .monsieur,” was the cheery context of another, and still another message from, a “digger ran: "Delighted at your success yesterday. And sure my old O.C.

will run the Government as success fully and as fairly as he ran on company. Permit me to send m; heartiest congratulations.” Entliu siasm knew no bounds with the ex digger who wired: “I fell as elatei as when I came out of La Basseville. Heartiest congratulations.”