Kōrero: Customs and tariffs

Gordon Coates (in the light-coloured coat), minister of public works and transport, is welcomed by members of the cabinet on his return from the Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa, Canada, in 1932. At the conference Coates had argued strongly, but unsuccessfully, for free trade within the Empire, or at least improved imperial preference. Other noted members of the coalition cabinet in the picture are Apirana Ngata (second from left) and Prime Minister George Forbes (third from right).