Night of Storm

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 1

Night of Storm

PRIME MINISTER ASSAILED

Fighting Speeches to Hostile Crowds

rIE dismal Jimmies say there’s no hope for New Zealand because of the Government’s squandering,” said the Prime Minister, Mr. J. G. Coates, speaking at Epsom last evening. “Let me say that optimism, hope and determination is all that will pull the country through—not the raising of a £70,000,000 loan.”

j Mr. Coates addressed three meetings in the city during the evening, and in spite of strong reposition assaults and disorder, he made great fighting speeches. He made his first appearance at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, where an audience that was overflowing into the streets greeted him. As the Prime Minister and his party filed on to the platform there was a great cascade of mixed applause, but Mr. Coates just smiled. The chairman, Mr. Lawrence Taylor, said he hoped the speaker would be given an impartial hearing. “Get into it, Gordon! Take your coat off!” called a voice from the gaJ lery. As he took his preliminary sip of water to make a tired voice easier, the crowd cheered again. “I seem to have a pretty lively bunch here to-night,” he remarked with a smile. Opening his address, the Prime Minister said the Country Party complained that the Government favoured the town. The town people said the country was favoured. The Uniteds said Reform was too Socialistic, and Labour said it was too Tory. “If that is so," he said, “the Government must be as near perfect as any Government can he.”

“We’ve done well,” he said, “we’ve taken the country through difficult years, and now we’re approaching prosperity.” This was received with a rising tide of jeers and laughter from a section of the audience which seemed to think otherwise. “Labour’s here to-night,” said Mr. Coates. Continuing, he said there were only two parties in the contest. Reform and Labour: the other party was only poking its nose in, and would get hurt. PRIMARY PRODUCE PRICES “Show me another country where you have been able to raise the price of the primary products,” said Mr. Coates. “You city people have to depend on the man on the land, and the prices he gets affect you. In 1925-26, when the imports exceeded the exports, the working man felt it.” A Voice: A lot you cared. “I cared more than anyone,” replied Mr. Coates. “No State in the Empire has done more for its unemployed than we have done. New Zealand has had a Government that by statecraft, has brought about cooperation.” “Take your coat off,” called a gallery patron. “I don’t need to take it off.” called the speaker. “Don’t lose any sleep, you’re going to have the fairest Government the country’s ever seen after Wednesday.” Mr. Coates went on to say that the economic depression had prevented men from getting work —no country had managed it. “Germany.” called an interjector. “Are you a United man?" asked Mr. Coates. “No, Labour,” replied the interjector proudly. “Well, you're a good-looking fellow and I respect you,” said Mr. Coates. UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM The Prime Minister went on to say that he worked for the unemployed, but he objected to a palliative that was not going to help New Zealand. The Government would find a remedy when the necessary research had been done. The Dominion’s credit never stood higher and the Government still had the right, and power to give assistance to deserving cases. “Unemployment can’t be solved by legislation and a magic wand.” he said. “The remedies are increased production, hard work, economy and self-reliance.” He went on to say that bank deposits had increased by £11,000,000 and people were now saving instead of having to withdraw. The Government stood definitely against starvation wages, and there would be no “cuts.” “You’re going back Gordon—for your hat,” called an interjector. “I don’t need a hat,” replied the Prime Minister. “Your head’s too big,” boomed the voice again. Mr. Coates went on to say that Sir Joseph Ward was a personal friend of his, but he could not let Sir Joseph come along with the borrowing proposal". An Interjector: He’s put the wind up you. “I’ve never had that.” replied Mr. Coates. “Would you take a go at Tom Heeney,” called another voice. “Tom Heeney would eat out of my hand,” replied the speaker amid roars of laughter. "Tom’s last words to me were: Good luck, Gordon, and good luck to New Zealand.” Mr. Coates, continuing, said he was against turning the railways into relief works. The Government put forward a definite programme, and wan p-pffinff it finno Pofnpm Viosl

been a keen-sighted Government helping the weak, and he asked with every confidence continuance of support.

“I’m sorry to have to go now, but I’m going to leave you with affectionate remembrances,” he said. “So just to show confidence in the Government give Mr. Potter a vote on Wednesday, and you won’t have cause for regret.” Votes of thanks and confidence were carried.

PONSONBY ANGER DEMONSTRATION AT THEATRE MISSILES FOR MR. COATES The Epsom hostility was reasonably good-humoured, hut the crowd which greeted Mr. Coates at the West End Theatre, Ponsonby, was of angrier temper. Over 400 people were unable to gain admission, and half-way through the address, an attempt was made to break in a side door. The door bulged ominously under the strain, and policemen gave their strength to support the timber. Every few minutes the angry intonations of “counting out” came from outside, and even in the theatre, “one. two, three.” welled above the voices of speaker and interjectors. There was plenty of “Kentish fire”: but Mr. Coates struggled on courageously against the opposition. “That’s the welcome I expect from Auckland West,” he said as he began his address. This brought a call for cheers for Labour, and the rafters rang. “You’re counted out, Gordon.” called a voice. “Never on your life, my friend,” replied the Prime Minister. A missile was thrown at Mr. Coates as he entered the theatre, and there was a nasty demonstration as he left, sticks being thrown at the Prime Minister’s car. The meeting held in a garage at Mount Eden was peaceful compared with the other two, the speaker being given a fair hearing and accorded votes of thanks and confidence. IN MINOR KEY PRIME MINISTER AND WOMEN TWO MEETINGS ADDRESSED Being scheduled to address a meeting for women in the concert chamber yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. G. Coates, was surprised to find that half his audience was masculine. Mr. Coates was subjected to goodhumoured interruption, but he made effective answers to the interjections. He concluded by saying that the captain, officers and men of the Reform Party would be ready to carry on their administration for another three years after Wednesday. During the afternoon he also addressed a women’s meeting at Mount Albert in support of Miss Ellen Melville’s candidature. At each meeting he received votes of thanks and confidence. BUSY MR. COATES TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMME The Prime Minister. Mr. J. G. Coates, will deliver three pre-election addresses this evening as follows: Gaiety Theatre. Otahuhu. at 7.30; Strand Theatre. Onehunga, 8.40; and the Avondale Town Hall at 9.15. He will leave for Wellington by special train later in the night.