MR FORBES LEAVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 268, 26 August 1930, Page 2

MR FORBES LEAVES.

SEND-OFF AT WELLINGTON. AIR COATES’ GOOD WISHES. (Special to the “Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, August 25. Clear at last of deputations and legislative rushes, the Hon. G. W. Forbes (Prime Minister), with Airs Forbes and the New Zealand delegation: to the Imperial Conference, had a happy sendoff on Thorndon Station to-night, when the Limited express was caught tor Auckland, there to connect with the mail steamer Aorangi for Canada, thence to England. It will he a rapid* journey, and the party arrives only two days before the Conference opens. The gathering on the platform included Lieutenant Elworthy, representing the Governor-General, Sir Walter Carmcross, Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Charles Statham, Speaker Of the House of Representatives, all the Members of Cabinet, the executive of the United Party, a large number of Alembers of the House of Representatives, and Mrs B. B. Wood (daughter of the late Sir Joseph Ward) who presented Airs Forbes with a large bouquet. „ The Leader of the Opposition (Air Coates) was one of the last to grip the Prime Alinister’s hand and express good wishes. " . . “Good-bye, Merry Christmas, George,” said his political opponent cheerily. “Thanks, Gordon,” replied the Prime Minister, “a Happy New Year to you.” ‘ . The crowd raised three rousing cheers for “Honest George,” and the train moved off. Absolutely the last to board the train was the head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Air F. D. Thomson, who imperturbably arrived a couple of minutes before departure time, and said his farewells unhurriedly. The Prime Minister and Mrs Forbes are accompanied as far as Auckland by their two daughters. Their son, Robert, said good-bye in Wellington, for he carries the responsibility for his father’s farm, and is anxious to get back to the Cheviot holding.