Coates, Joseph Gordon

Coates, Joseph Gordon (b. 3 Feb. 1878, d. 27 May 1943). Prime Minister of New Zealand 1925–8 Born in Pahi (near Auckland), he worked on his father's farm before being elected to Parliament in 1911 as an ‘independent Liberal’, though from 1912 he sided with the oppositional Reform Party which represented the country's farming interests. He saw distinguished service in France during World War I, and upon his return was made Postmaster-General, Minister of Telegraphs, and Minister of Justice. One of the most able ministers of Massey's Cabinet, he made a considerable contribution towards the successful reintegration of the soldiers returning from the war. As Native Minister (1921–5) he became the first politician of European descent to champion Maori rights, staying in close contact with Ngata. He was also an energetic Minister of Works (1920–6) and of Railways (1923–8), being responsible for considerable improvements in the country's infrastructure.

Coates succeeded Massey as Prime Minister, and was returned with a substantial majority in the 1925 elections. He failed to cope with the country's economic problems, however, and was unable to prevent the country sliding into an economic recession. He lost the 1928 elections and set about rebuilding the party. He reluctantly agreed to join Forbes in a coalition government to respond to the Great Depression, and as Deputy Prime Minister engineered the major economic policies of the government. At the Ottawa Conference he secured agreement for open access to the British market, he lowered the exchange rate (to increase exports), and he established the Reserve Bank (1933) to increase monetary control. This earned him little gratitude from an electorate impoverished by the economic slump. Following an electoral defeat in 1936, he had to accept the merger of the Reform Party with the National Party, after which he was relegated to the sidelines. However, from 1940 until his death he was a member of the War Cabinet, in charge of the important Ministry of Armed Forces and War Coordination. The efficiency and skill he displayed in this function marked the most distinguished period of his career.