“Mr. Smith” and the P.M.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 48, 19 May 1927, Page 8

“Mr. Smith” and the P.M.

Immigrant Family Finds A Friend in Mr. Coates

F takes a stout heart to bring a wife and six children all. the way from Manchester to New Zealand, with no prospect of work * n herein is the actual story of a Midlands family who had little behind them but faith in this new land and a keen ambition to ' bet A er cha e n'ce l0 meeting with Mr. Coates was responsible for their journey.

IF the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister of New Zealand, had not gone to Manchester last year to receive the freedom of the great manufacturing city, the Smith family would never have come to New Zealand. If Major Coates, M.C., had not been Private Smith's commanding officer in France, the Smith family would never have had the slightest claim on the acquaintanceship of the future Prime Minister. Met In France But life is made up of so many “ifs.” This little word has played havoc in the careers of people of far greater importance than the Smiths. Smith was not the name by which the hefty blue-eyed soldier was known to his Major. Neither was he known as “Smith” to anyone else. The name will do as well as any other, however, to introduce this family to Aucklanders. “Why don’t you come out to New Zealand” suggested Mr. Coates, when William Smith accosted him at the Manchester Town Hall. Smith pondered very carefully over the Prime Minister’s advice. New Zealand was by no means unknown to him. As a lad of 16. he had gone there with his parents, all assisted immigrants. From Auckland he embarked with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. After serving his King in France Smith was discharged in London. That was in 1919. It was then that the thoughts of William, like his namesake from Avon, turned to love. He selected as his bride a little cotton spinner from Manchester. Worked From Twelve Nell was no shirker. Her hands to this day testify to that. From 12 years of age she had toiled in the mills. During the war she made as much as £ 3 3s weekly, but in ordinary times her little envelope did not exceed 235, and very often it was not more than 18s. Now, despite the fact that Nell was a careful housewife and her man was steady and reliable, times were hard. To make ends meet tried all the ingenuity of the wife. Wages were low. The Motherland was passing through a period of post-war depression. Butter became unknown in the mith menage and the children were forced to content themselves with margerine. It was then that Smith decided to call upon his old Major. New Zealand had always appealed to him; he recalled this southern land with affection. Government Assistance With six children to provide for, the problem of moving them so far away was not without its terrors. Government assistance, however, surmounted the financial difficulty and Smith mere

et pere and six little Smiths, the eldest not 13 and the youngest just over a year, sailed for New Zealand on the Tainui. The voyage was not without tragedy. Tim, the eldest boy, upon whose wage-earning capacity in the new land the hopes of his parents had been set, died en route to New Zealand. Tim had commenced the voyage in happy spirits, singing, his heart full of joy; willingly had he worked carrying the luggage Into the cabin which the family were to occupy. Meningitis carried off the poor little youngster before he reached the promised land. He never knew New Zealand. * * * “It all looked so bright and cheerfullike when we saw Auckland that I took heart again,” said Tim’s mother. “My first thought was to get a place to live In. Me and my boss wanted to get the kids settled!” “The Boss” When “the boss” told Mrs. Smith, however, that Auckland was “full of unemployed”—that was only six weeks ago—her heart fell. Like so many more her thoughts flew to the Homeland; she wanted to go right back to Salford. William Smith had no immediate prospect of work. But his heart was sound and he knew that eventually something would come his way. “I have brought these kids into the world and I will look after them!” he told Staff-Captain Davies, the Salvation Army’s immigration officer. Board was found for the Smith family at the rate of £3 10s weekly. After three weeks’ waiting a job was procured for Smith on railway |»orks in the North Auckland district It is here that Mr. Coates again Gomes into the story. Though the Smiths are certainty not on Easy Street, they are by no means dissatisfied with their lot. Perhaps they have been more fortunate than many. With father away board was reduced to £2 ss. Smith retained £1 5s of his £4 4s weekly for his own board. It will not be long, however, before his wife and family join him in the vicinity of Whangarei. No Leisured Lady Meanwhile, the five little Smiths are thoroughly relishing New Zealand butter. . . “They want nothing else, except a cup of tea. Spread the “hooter’ on thick and they are happy. It ‘taastes’ so different-like to margarine ! ” Charles William, aged four, who misses his father more than he can ever tell, asks his mother each evening: “Wheer is Daddy gone?” Mrs. Smith, with a thankful heart, invariably replies: “Your Dad, he ’as gone a ‘goom’ diggin’ with Mister Gordon Coates!”