PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 14 November 1930, Page 11

PRIME MINISTER.

Ie sessions jtfij pai t

Games-' team came op board and celebrated the occasion with a Maori haka, much to the amusement of the passengers.. The Ministerial party was also received by Mr My. A.. James, representing the New Zealand Government at Vancouver, and by Colonel Hian, assistant to the President of the Canadian National Bail ways. Owing to the lateness of the hour, the party remained on board that night. The following morning they went for a motor drive to Stanley Park and-other places of interest, and at mid-day the male members .of the party were entertained at luncheon by the Canadian Club. Mr Forbes-ha& an excellent reception when he spoke on "New Zealand and on Imperial subjects. Mrs Forbes and Lady Bidey were entertained at luncheon by the women's branch of the Canadian Club, and were presented with bouquets of beautiful flowers. In the afternoon -the Harbour Commission arranged a trip round Vancouver Harbour. Tea was taken at the County Club, and the eastward trip was resumed on the Canadian National Railway at 10 o'clock .that night. After an enjoyable run through the Bo'cky Mountains Mr Forbes was natur:'ally interested in the great prairie lands of Canada. The bulk of the harvest had ■been; gathered in, the yield this season being a prolific one. Invitations were received to stop at Edmonton, Winni* peg, and Saskatoon, but time did not permit any break in the journey until Ottawa was reached. | Guests of the Governor-General. | Arriving at the capital city, the party was received by representatives of the Governor-General, the British High I Commissioner, ai\,d the Canadian GovI ernment. Mr and Mrs Forces an Sir Thomas' and. Lady Sidey jrere the guests of- his Excellency at Government House during their stay at Ottawa. The re-maining-members of the party stayed at Chateau Laurier. , i The Prime Minister of Canada (Mr B. B. Bennett) gave a luncheon at the Chateau to the New Zealaixd Ministers, and extended to them on behalf of 'the Canadian Government a wafrm welcome to the senior Dominionr In the evening the male members of the party attended a sitting of the House of Commons, the Prime Minister and Sir Thomas Sidey having special seats on the floor of the House. They were fortunate in hear' inji the opening of the debate on the Canadian tariff proposals which had been introduced into the House a few days previously. The Hon. Mr Mackenzie King, formerly Prime Minister,- now Leader of the Opposition, opened the debate with an hour's speech. Thereply was made by the Hon, Mr Stevflnsf* Mjlnistef for Trade and Commerce. The House adjourned a quarter of an hour before its usual time in order to give members an opportunity of meeting the New Zealand visitors. In the evening a large dinner party was given in their .honour by their Excellencies at Government House. . The following day the Prime Minister was entertained at luncheon by the Canadian Club, tho function being attended by nearly 400 guests. Tho journey was continued at 5.30 that afternoon,* ' At Montreal a stay of three-quarters •of an hour was. made prior to leaving for New York. » In New York. New York was reached the following morning,"and the party proceeded to the Hotel Weylin. They were there met by representatives of the British Con-■ul-General of the Whxte Star Lxne, of the Union Steam Sbip Company, and of

the United States Government. Sightseeing occupied the morning, and tho visitors were then the guests of Mr Russell, president of Willy's Overland Motor Corporation, at lunch at Hotel St. Begis. Among the places visited in New York was the Chrysler building (which is now the highest building in the City), the Columbia University, and General Grant's tomb. On their departure to join the Majestic, Mr Forbes was rather amused that ho and his party should have the privilege of an escort of police on motor-cycles and an absolutely clear passage of the streets, all cross-traffic being held up for their benefit. Fine to_ nioderate weather was experienced on the journey across the Atlantic. Comments on Personality. The "Daily Express": If an artist is ever in search of a model to symbolise the British Empire in the way that John Bull symbolises England, he should try to persuade the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister of New Zealnftd, t<? sit for 'him. Mr Forbes gives, above all, the impression of strength. His face —to which that overworked word "human'' apjflies perfectly—is strong. His build is strong. He is a weighty man, both in figure and choice of words. There is no change to be had out of this Prime '.Minister. He had spent part of the morning*'with- Mr Ramsay Mac Donald. "And what," asked a curious person, "did you think of him?" "You probably know him better than I do," replied Mr .Forbes, gravely. The "Yorkshire Post": Mr Forbes is a bluff, hearty man, who was a wellknowyi Rugby player in his younger days, an 4 who has for the last 22; years been both a politician and u sheep farmer. As a farmer, Mr Forbes has a, very practical . knowledge of those agricultural problems with which New £ea- | land is mainly concerned, and he will have a good deal to say at the Conference on the economic issues which will be raised—particularly those re= iating to Import Boards and the bulk purchase of foodstuffs by this country Mr Forbes, like most of his countrymen, is more concerned to promote the fullest Imperial co-operation than to argue abstruse points of constitutional status and.he will concern himself mainly with these problems. He also has very definite views about tho defence needs of the Empire, and'the security which is given by a strong Navy. It is reported that Mr Forbes will; oppose any suggestion that the construction ol Singapore Base should bo abandoned.