TRIBUTES PAID MR COATES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12616, 29 November 1926, Page 7

TRIBUTES PAID MR COATES

DELEGATES WORKED AS TEAM he pulleiThis WEIGHT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 26. “The conference has not been a ‘one-man show.’ There lias been no outstanding figure such as Mr Chamberlain or Mr Deakin. On the contrary, it has been a team of which each member has pulled his full weight. Mr Coates equally with the others,” said Air Leopold Amery, (Secretary for Dominion Affairs, ill presiding at the British Empire League lunch in honour of Mr Coates, to whom warm tributes were paid. Air Amery added that Mr Coates was the successor to a. line of Prime Ministers, notably the late Air Massey, whose traditions were always Imperial, whose word was always their bond, and who on all great issues facing the Empire stood side by side with this country. They were prepared to give the best brains, money, and blood for the ideals of Empire. “Mr Coates,” said Mr Amery, ' won the highest regard, affection, and esteem of his fellow-delegates at tho conference.”

BESIDE THE MOTHER cons TltY.”

Mr Coates, in responding, said that New Zealand was ever-readv to help because the Empire had found the Imperial Conference practically constituted, of one Imperial mind, not disputatious, and not differing ill opinions where grave Imperial issues were concerned. ••We have always regarded ourselves as autonomous members of the Empire,” said Air Coates. the.less, we never forget our indebtedness for the protection of the British flag. Non- Zealand knows where she stands, and that, is, alongside the Mother Country.” Air Coates paid a tribute to British Ministers’ contributions to tho conference discussions, tho result being that the British Dominions’ co-operation was a “gentleman’s agreement” of which every member of the conference was prond. Earl Jellicoe proposed'the health of Afr Amery. whose stntesmnnlike vision. he said, h id ensured the success the conference.