DOMINION PRIME MINISTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12618, 1 December 1926, Page 7

DOMINION PRIME MINISTERS

MR COATES MADE FREEMAN OF STOKE “NEW ZEALAND WILL BE WITH YOU” Hr Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 29. After a quiet, couple of days at Gleneagles playing golf, when the Scottish mists permitted him to do so on the world’s most famous links, Mr Bruce journeyed last night to Crewe, where this morning he saw the sun for the first time since he visited Edinburgh. He had breakfast at the country home of Sir Edwin Stockton, the host of many of the Australian cricketers, and afterwards motored to Stoke-on-Trent, where he met Mr and Airs Coates and party, and inspected Meakin’s potteries, and afterwards went round the Doulton potteries. Mr Bruce was photographed working a modern equivalent of the ancient wheel. He then autographed the backs of a number of plates, into which the signature will be permanently baked. Ho also saw an order for plates for Australian buyers made to their own design. The party lunched at the Town Hall, tli© entertainment being given by the Chamber of Commerce and the pottery owners. Later they heard children’s choral singing at the King’s Hall. Instead of enclosing the “Freedom” in caskets the council gave Mr and Mrs Bruce a beautiful tea service and Mr and Mrs Coates a set of wedgwood vases. Later Mr and Airs Bruce entrained For Birmingham and Mr and Mrs Coates for Sheffield. HONOUR APPRECIATED. (Received November 30, 7.40 p.m.) Mr Coates, in replying to the address which accompanied the conferment of the freedom of Stoke-on-Trent, said the heart of every citizen in New Zealand would beat a little Faster for the honour they had done him that day as New Zealand’s representative. He hoped the attendance of i he ohildren would impress them with the proud heritage qf Empire, which everyone must build up and make stronger. New Zealand would never Forget the terrific burden borne by Britain during the years of war. “If ever the need arises again.” paid Air -nates, “New Zealand will Ire with you to a man.”