OTTAWA PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1932, Page 7

OTTAWA PARTY.

MR. FORBES WITHDRAWS SHOULD REMAIN IN DOMINION. " SERIOUS AND URGENT PROBLEMS." CONFIDENCE IN DELEGATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The following imeortant announcement concerning the representation of New Zealand at tlie Empire Economic Conference nt Ottawa was made by tlie Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, this evening: —

"I have from time to time Indicated in public pronouncements my view of Ihe extreme importance of tlie Ottawa Conference, not only to the British Commonwealth as a whole, but to this Dominion individually, and, holding this view, I have consistently felt that New Zealand should be represented at Ottawa by the strongest possible delegation.

"It was for this reason, and this reason, only, that I considered, and my colleagues agreed with mc, that the delegation should be headed by the Prime Minister.

"In making that decision, the Government had in no way lost sight of the serious and urgent problems with which this Dominion is confronted, but these problems have since given every indication of increasing gravity and complexity.

"I have given the most earnest thought to the position, and have come to the conclusion that, in the existing circumstances, the Prime Minister of this Dominion should properly remain in New Zealand. I have therefore decided that, notwithstanding the importance of the Ottawa deliberations, the correct course for me to pursue is to withdraw from the delegation.

"The representatives of New Zealand will accordingly be the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coatcs and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart. I have the utmost confidence in their ability to perform the task that lies in front of them and 1 an; convinced that the interests of New Zealand will be best served by the arrangement now made."

MR. COATES NOT GOING? REPORT NOT CONFIRMED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The "Dominion" states to-day that Mr. Coates is not going to the Ottawa Conference, but no confirmation of this report is available.