MR. WILFORD RESIGNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 August 1925, Page 6

MR. WILFORD RESIGNS.

LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY. CONSEQUENCE OF ELL-HEALTH. THE PROBABLTS SUCCESSOR (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day.^ Air T M. Wilfori lias definitely decided to resign Ks P™-?'\ " Lpa ?-"" of tlif National party. This fol owe - breakdown in health which led to lv« taking medical advice as to Ins general nhv6ical condition. [ understand that th« medical report emphatically suggested that the Leader of the Opposition should immediately take a rest irom active work, and he intends within a few weeks to secure leave of absence from Parliament in order to recuperate oy means of a sea voyage. Tt may be recalled that prior to the war Mr TVilfortl s health gave cause for great anxiety, but a long ocean voyage restored him to food health, and he subsequently "was able to take a very a-tive part as one of the Ministers in the war time Coan- j lion Government. On the death of r.l:e Hon. W. D. SMucDonald he succeeded to the Leadership of the Liberal par-.y on September 7. 1920. He has worked strenuously iii the political sphere, though during the whole of the present session it has j been noticeable that ho ha<= not shown his old vigour. Wlifci he made a speech in the House on -July 30. repeating hi* offer of early in Jnr.e to resign the Leadership of*the National party to forward the fusion proposa-s, ha was j obviously suffering from weakness. ' which at the time was put down to die after-effects of influenza. The Prime Minister has made it cicar that Mr. Wilford's Leadership lia'l not prejudiced the amalgamation proposals. "We '.iave not the slightest feeling about whether he is Leader of not," said Mr. Coates. "and he does not stand in the wpy. His declaration has not affected the position in the slightest." ! Anticipating that some arrangement would need to be made to conduct Par- | liamentary work on behalf of the National Opposition, the members of the party have for several days been dis- ( cussing whether there should be ft te:n- j porary or a permanent change 5n the Leadership. It is understood that they ( (iftinc to the conclusion that it would be j in the best interears'of the party tor relieve Mr. Wilford of the strain of the ' necessarily vigorous campaign which will be prosecuted the remainder of the session, fusion being definitely a dead issue. Therefore sev-ral names wci! under consideration, all being mem- , bers of the National party executive. A \ decision will be made this week, and it ! may be regarded as rert.iia that the choice will fall on Mr. fieorge W. Forbes, member for Hurunui.