MUST REST.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18460, 14 August 1925, Page 8

MUST REST.

MR WILFORD RESIGNS LEADERSHIP.

MR FORBES SUCCEEDS. HIS POLITICAL RECORD. (SPECIAL TO "THE FSZSS."') WELLINGTON. August 13. Mr T. M. AVilford has resigned from the leadership of the Opposition Party, owing to ill-health. The new leader selected is Mr G. AY. Forbes, member far Hurunui. For some. weeks now it lias been apparent that tho health of Mr T. M. Wiifonl, Leader of the Opposition, has not been satisfactory, lie had taken tho advice of medical men. and it was certified that he was suffering from severe nervous debility. It was freely stated that lie would be likely to resign his position as Loader of the Opposition, and that it was more than probable that he would have to take a sea voyage, involving a somewhat prolonged absence from the House of Representatives. On the last occasion on which ho made a speech in the House, it was evident that he spoke with a considerable want of conhaenee in himself. As a matter of fact, ho had difficulty in finishing his speech, and nearly broke down, then he has been only onec in the House, and then for only a few minutes. Choice Falls on Mr Forbes. There were suggestions that a new leader would be chosen. It was thought that Mr Sidey, who has always been Mr AVilford's first lieutenant, Would be chosen as leader, but when the House met this afternoon, it was noticed that Mr Geo. Forbes had moved up into the seat that was formerly occupied hv Mr AVilford, and that Mr Sidey was 111 his old place. In answer to an enquiry, Mr Forbes stated that Mr AVilford had resigned his position, and that he (Mr Forbes) had been elceted in his stead. In tho House of Representatives in tho afternoon, Mr E. A. Ransom, Op- ! position AVhip, proposed that- leave of I absence be granted to Mr T. M. AYjliord, Leader of tho Opposition, until the end of the session, 1011 account of ill-health. Sympathy and Good Wishes. The Prime Minister said lie regretted very much that it should be necessary to move such a motion. He was sure that every member of the House would regret tho absence of such a well-known figure. He sincerely regretted tho necessity for his absence, and felt sure that every member would hope that Mr Wilford would soon bo restored to his former state of health, and bo back among theni onto more. Mr AVilford was the oldest member of tho House, and many members had ploasant remembrances of instances in which they ! had received help and advice 1 l'oni him. Ho hoped Mr Wilford would come back completely restored in health to assist in carrying on the work of Parliament. Mr Holland, Leader of tho Labour Party, said ho wished to endorso th© remarks that had fallen from the Prim© Minister. ' Ho hoped that the trip Mr Wilford was about to take would bring him back restored to health. Strain of Leadership. Mr Forbes returned thanks lor tha references tliat had been made to his lato leader. The public, he said, did not realise the great strain thcr© was upon men who were taking a prominent part in tho work of Parliament. Mr Wilford's breakdown was entirely duo to tho work he had boen doing. He (Mr Forbes) was pleased to hear the expressions of good will from tho Prime Minister and the Leader of tho Labour Party. Tho official announcement regarding Mr Wilford's . resignation states that his medical adviser has insisted upon Mr Wilford's retirement from active participation in political affairs, and declares that while he is suffering from no organic trouble, absolute rest from worry and responsibility is essential for some time to come. Mr G. AA\ Forbes, member for Hurunui, has been appointed Leader of the National Party in succession to Mr Wilford. Party's Tribute. Tho National Party's caucus accepted Mr Wilford's resignation with deep regret, and put on record its appreciation of his qualities and services as a leader. Every member of the Party acknowledged the sacrifices ho had made in the interests of the Part}-, and the capacity, patience, tact, organising ability, and perseverance, he nad exinbited in tho diiiicuit circumstances attendant upon tho three Party system. The caucus extended its sincere sympathy to Mr Wilford, and expressed the hope that a com- , pleto rest would soon lead liim to a speedy restoration of health, so that he might again take his place in the political affairs of the country. To Mrs Wilford. A tribute was also paid by tho Party to Mrs AVilford, and tho following resolution was passed ami forwarded to her: "The Party is well 1 aware that you have at all times rendered invaluable assistance to Mr Wilford in the performance of his duties . as a member of Parliament, and as. ; Leader of tho Opposition, and that your assistance and wise counsel havo [ ever exercised a strengthening and . sustaining influence upon him, whilo [ tho hospitality of your homo has always been open to members of tho • Party. It expresses its great ap--1 preciation of those services, it syni- - pathiscs with you deeply in the fact 1 that Mr AVilford's retirement froni 1 the Leadership is due to illness, and trusts that a temporary respite from 1 activo participation in politics will ■ speedily restore his health, and that you will both be spared to ono an- • other for many years to come.'' » Tho National Party through its Chief 1 AVliip (Mr G. S._ Smith) notified the Primo Minister this morning 0 f the change that had been made in the leadership of the Party. Mr Wilford states: "I will now be able to tako a very necessary holiday. I have handed over to Air Forbes all tho Information, largely personal which I possess in regard to tho electorates throughout tho Dominion AA'hen that work is completed and up-to-date, the medical_ advice given I will follow, I hope with good results." Asked liis opinion of Mr Forbes as the new leader of the National Party I\'ir AVilford said:"Ho is exceptionally , fitted for the position. He has the confidence of the whole of the farmine: community of New Zealand, and of the business community, and I am satisfied that he will make a better leader than ever 1 havo been. ' The New Leader. Mr Forbes, who has been a member of Parliament ior seventeen years was born at Lyttelton 57 years ago.' He was educated at the Chris'tchurch Boys' High School, and m his younSr days was a prominent sportsman achier- ■ ing distinction as a Rugby footballer wd a rowing man. He captained the F'lsis (Continue at foot of next column.)

Christchurch Football Club when it won the Christchurch Rugby championship, and ended his football career as captain of the Canterbury represeutsttivo team. Cp to the timo he was lo years of acre lie followed commercial pursuits, but then decided to take Ur> farming. He drew a section in a ballot tor the well-known Cheviot estate, and) was one of the original settlers on that settlement. When lie entered the House, Mr Forbes belonged to tho Radical and moro advanced section of the Liberal Party. Mr Forbes was for ten years Whip to tho Liberal Party. He l las served ou many of t-hQ connnittoGs of the Houso of Representatives and at the present timo is a member of tho Lands Committee and the Agricultural and Stock Committee. He has performed good service in local body work, and was a member of the first Cheviot Countv Council. He was also a member of tho Lands Commission sot up bv the Liberal Government to enquire into various matters connected with land settlement in the> Dominion.