ADVICE TO CAUCUS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 10

ADVICE TO CAUCUS

"SELECT 'MR. FORBES"

•JSESi1. FITTED FOR LEADERSHIP

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

VThe New Situation," to-day's "Star" says:— "It was a favourite expedient with the Opposition Press to describe the WaVd Cabinet as a "one-man" Administration, and to assume that with the Prime •■Minister's retirement it would bo bereft' of the whole of its political capacity. How far this is from the truth is sufficiently1 proved b£ the

energy and ability it showed in comparison with its immediate predecessor, and we have the fullest confidence that the present Cabinet will bo able1 to 'carry on' under Sir Joseph Ward's successor. "The selection of a leader is obviously the'first task by which the United Party is now confronted, and the caucus which is arranged for next Weduesday may prove to be one of the most momentous political events in our history. While more than one member of the existing Government might reasonably aspire to the post of Prime Minister, we consider that Mr. Forbes is thebest qualified by his long political experience and proved administrative capacity to succeed Sir Joseph Ward. One of the oldest Liberals in the House, Mr. Forbes attained to Ministerial honours comparatively late in his career, but the energy and ability that he has displayed since he took office, not only in the administration of the Lands Department, for which he has very special qualifications, but in the discharge of the additional onerous responsibilities thrown upon him by his leader's long illness, seems to make Mr. Forbes out as' Sir Joseph. Ward's political heir and natural successor. "When onco th© new Ministry is in ofiiee it will need to. enter upon its duties with all possible vigour and energy. Very few weeks are left before Parliament reopens, and in the meantime the United Party's leaders have a great many problems of public interest and importance to solve. Measures for the mitigation of unemployment, to say nothing of a scheme for its permanent relief, land settlement, a Public Works policy with1 special reference to the South Island Main Trunk, our trade relations with Canada and the Empire, the coming Imperial Conference—these are a few of the matters awaiting their consideration, but if Ministers-approach their duties with a resolve to vitalise the whole system of public administration and to devote themselves energetically and enthusiastically to the service of the country, and, more especially, if they maintain the- Liberal principles and traditions which Sir Joseph Ward so ably and so faithfully upheld, they can be sure of the confidence and support of Parliament and the people of New Zealand."