COATES, JOSEPH GORDON (1878– ), New Zealand statesman, was born at Matakohe, the son of a farmer. He was elected M.P. for Kaipara in 1911, and impressed his leader, Mr. W. F. Massey, with his solid ability. From 1917 to 1919 he served in France with the New Zealand forces, in which he attained the rank of major and gained the Military Cross. Shortly after his return home, he joined the Cabinet, and, as head of the Public Works, Railways and other departments proved himself a capable administrator. When Mr. Massey died in 1925 he was his obvious successor. As prime minister the chief aim of his domestic policy was the consolidation of the primary industries of New Zealand, thus paving the way for a development of secondary industries. His ministry was occupied with the settlement of difficulties in the Samoan mandated territory, and with the revision of the tariff and the concomitant extension of imperial preference.