FAREWELLS AT WELLINGTON

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 9

FAREWELLS AT WELLINGTON

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, GEORGE"

j MR. COATES' GOOD WISHES.

__ — V (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday.

Clear at last of deputations and legislative rushes, the Prime Minister, with Mrs. Forbes and the New Zealand delegation to the Imperial Conference, had a happy send-off on the Thorndon railway station to-night, en route for London. They will reach their destination only two days before the conference opens. The gathering on the platform included Lieutenant- Elworthy. representing the Governor-General, Sir Walter Carncross, Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Charles Statham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all the members of the Cabinet, the executive of the United party, a large number of members of the House of Representatives, and Mrs. B. B. Wood, daughter of the late Sir Joseph Ward, who presented Mrs. Forbes with a large bouquet.

The Leader of the Opposition, the Rfc. Hon. J. G. C'oates, was one of the last to grip the Prime Minister's hand, and express good wishes. "Good-bye—a merry Christmas, George," said his political opponent cheerily. '"Thanks, Gordon," replied the Prime Minister. "A happy New Year to von."

The crowd raised three rousing chcers for "Honest George," and the train moved off.

Absolutely the last to board the train was the head of the Prime Minister's Department, Mr. F. D, Thomson, who imperturbably arrived a couple of minutes before departure time, and said his farewells unhurriedlv.

The Prime Minister and Mrs. Forbes were accompanied as far as Auckland by their two daughters. Their son, Mr, Robert Forbes, said good-bye in Wellington, for he carries the responsibility for his fathers farm, and is anxious to get gack to Cheviot.