LATE MR COATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1943, Page 4

LATE MR COATES

EXPRESSIONS OF RESPECT & REGRET RECEIVED FROM MANY QUARTERS. MESSAGES TO PRIME MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The following tributes to the late Rt Hon J. G. Coates have been received by the Prime Minister (the Rt Hon P. Fraser):—

From the Delegate of the Fighting French in New Zealand (M. De La Tribouille): “I deeply regret to learn of the sudden death of Mr Coates. I share the deep sorrow and great loss New Zealand has sustained by his death, and beg you and the members of your Government to accept my condolences and heartfelt sympathy.’ From Mr Raymond E. Cox, United States Charge D’Aftaires: “My Government will be deeply grieved to hear of the loss of one of New Zealand’s most outstanding public men. Permit me to extend to you the sympathy of my Government and of all members of the American Legation in Wellington. All those who had the privilege of association with Mr Coates in the wonderful work he has been doing in the war effort will know how great this loss is and how untimely is his passing.” Tributes to the late Mr Coates and expressions of sympathy have been placed on record also by Sir H. Batterbee (United Kingdom High Commissioner), Rear-Admiral T. Wilkinson (U.S.A.), Deputy Commander in the South Pacific, and many local bodies and organisations, officials and others. • GREAT MAN GONE KINDNESS AND STRENGTH IN ADVERSITY. TRIBUTE BY COLLEAGUES (By Telegraph—Press' Association.) ( WELLINGTON, This Day. Paying tribute to the late Mr Coates in a joint statement this morning. Messrs H. S. S. Kyle and J. N. Massey, Ms.P., said: “We have been his close personal friends over years. We have always looked upon him as our leader and his death has left a tremendous gap. No one more than we knew of the many acts of kindness he rendered to all sections of the community, and we have no hesitation in saying that, by his sudden and tragic death, New Zealand has lost one of her greatest men.” They added that Mr Coates was never greater in strength than in adversity. His tolerance was one of his outstanding traits. STERLING CHARACTER

PLACE LEFT THAT CANNOT BE FILLED. HON. A. HAMILTON’S WORDS OF FAREWELL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, This Day. “In the sudden death of Mr Coates,” the Hon. Adam Hamilton said today, “I feel I have lost an elder brother. It had been my privilege and pleasure to be very closely associated with him for over twenty years, both as an intimate colleague and personal friend. I have been with him in success and adversity, and could not wish for a more loyal and trusted colleague. Like most strong public men, he has been criticised, but he had singleness of purpose and never deviated when the interests of the country were at stake. It can truly be said that he is the greatest personality New Zealand has produced. His great worth and influence lay in his sterling character. His straightforwardness often brought him into conflict, but his sincerity and honesty, together with his wide experience and natural ability, won him a place in the confidence of men of all parties and all ranks. He loved his home, family and place of birth. His death at this time is a tragedy. His place in the War Cabinet cannot be filled, as he brought to it a knowledge, experience and influence unique for that work. He died at his post, without, seeing victory. In a very real sense he fell as a soldier on the field of battle. His was a rich and full life. While we mourn his loss we treasure his memory, which will be an inspiration to his friends and colleagues. To his wife and family, Mrs Hamilton and I tender our most sincere sympathy.”