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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 4 (August 24, 1926)

The Prime Minister's Message — A Cheery Au Revoir

page 4

The Prime Minister's Message
A Cheery Au Revoir

By the time this issue of our Magazine reaches most members of the Department, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister and Minister of Railways, will be on the high seas en route to the Imperial Conference. The following “Message to the Staff” was kindly given on the eve of his departure in response to a request made by the Editor of this Magazine.

Mr. Coates said that during his absence he would take very opportunity to examine the railway problems overseas in order to enlarge his knowledge of the business to which so much of his time and thought had been devoted during the last three years.

“I feel sure” continued Mr. Coates, “that the loyalty and progressive spirit exhibited by all ranks during the time that I have been associated with you will be continued under my temporary successor, and that on my return home a record of progress will have been achieved that will redound to your credit and to that of the whole Dominion.

“As a self-governing Dominion of the British Empire we have a part to play in Imperial affairs which precedes in importance all domestic matters; but as your representative in the councils of Empire, nothing will give me greater confidence than the knowledge that all is well with the Department with which I have been so closely identified during recent years, and in which your constant endeavours in the direction of teamwork and business enterprise have achieved so marked a success.”

[The following are brief particulars of Mr. Coates' career. When thirty-three years of age he was elected to Parliament; five years later he was fighting in France, where he rose to the rank of major, and gained the Military Cross and Bar. At forty-one he became a Cabinet Minister; at forty-five, Minister of Railways; and at forty-seven, Prime Minister of New Zealand. There is ample evidence that, after three years of successful Railway administration, Mr. Coates carries with him, on his present momentous Imperial mission, the good wishes of the whole Railway staff.—Ed. “N.Z.R.”]