MR. FORBES'S CAREER

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1930, Page 10

MR. FORBES'S CAREER

The Hon. G. AY. Forbes has qualified for the -highest political post in the. land through' long experience- in the hard school of opposition. He was born at Lyttelton in 18G9, and was educated at the public school there, and at the Christchurch Boys' High School. For a time he was engaged in business in Lyttelton, and when the Cheviot Estate came into the hands of the Liberal Government under the Land and Income Tax Act he was in tho ballot for sections, and drew an exceptionally good one. He has taken a lively interest in all public affairs in the settlement. He imbibed principles of Liberalism from Mr. G. LaiH'enson, whom he keenly supported when" that Liberal first won the Lyttelton seat. In his first attempt to win tho Hurunui seat in 1902, Mr. Forbes was defeated,; but he entered the House in 1908 after a battle for'the same seat. He polled 2056 against Mr. 0. F. Clothier's 1356, Mr. G. D. Greenwood's 500, and Mr. G. T. Pulley's 309, and the second ballot gave him a substantial majority Mr- fortes has represented Hurunui ever since, being returned at the last General. Election with a handsomely increased majority over the 1925 figures. He was appointed Liberal Whip in 1 1012, and on the retirement of Mr.' T. M. AVilford in 1925 'he became head of the Nationalist forces, and Leader of the Opposition, leading his party to the polls at the end of tho same year. At that same election Sir Joseph "Ward stood as a Liberal, regaining a place 'in the House after six/- years' absence. Throughout the ensuing Pa-liament Mr. Forbes continued as leader of the party, though he had been, obliged to surrender the title of Leader of the Opposition to the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland). In the fusion negotiations which took place between the Eeform and National Parties before the 1925 session Mr. Forbes was head of the Nationalist delegation. Shortly before tho 1928 General Election tho United Party came into existence, formed from with the National Purty as its basis, and Sir Joseph Ward accepted the Leadership. After the party's success at the polls Mr.. Forbes was allocated by Sir Joseph Ward the important portfolio of Lands and Agriculture, which in the previous Administration had been held separately. . Mr. Forbes was also given charge of Scenery Preservation," Discharged Soldiers' Settlement, and the-Valuation Department. When tho Prime Minister was unable through illness to sit in the House last session, the duties of Deputy Prime Minister fell to Mr. Forbes'a lot at a most trying period, and since* the session, in addition to carrying his own burdens, he has taken a substantial share of tho Prime Minister's work.

As a practical farmer, Mr. Forbes lias always taken a keen interest in agricultural- and land matters, and he has been a frequent ■ contributor to the debates on settlement and kindred subjects. As a member of the Land Commission which visited all parts of New Zealand in 1905 he was able to study tho practical working of tho land laws, and in tho House he became one of the soundest authorities on land legislation. His chief contribution to the Statute Book last year, as Minister of Lands, was the legislation designed to promoto land settlement, both on developed and undeveloped lands, particular stress being laid on the policy of settling unworked Crown lands. The principal new' machinery under this scheme is the Lauds Development Board, which is assisted" in its work by advisory committees. As part and parcel of the scheme, the Government passed legislation imposing heavier land-taxation on the large farmers, in order to split up largo estates. The Keform Party strongly resisted these proposals, and in the three-day stonewall which developed, Mr. Forbes, as Leader of the House, was present during the whole of/that exhausting sitting. Since the passage of the land settlement legislation 37 properties have been purchased, aggregating 59,000 acres, at a j cost of £023,0.00. It was said of Mr. Forbes when ho first entered Parliament that he played politics much' as he had played representative football in the days of his youth, and the simile was appropriate. He possessed then, in a greater degree than he does now, the impulse of combativeness, which fitted him well ,for tho long years he spent on the Opposi-' tion benches. He has long been recognised as ono of the-most sportsmanlike members of the House. In addition to his participation in football, Mr. Forbes was also a representative oarsman as a young man. "When he is called on to form a Cabinet, Mr. Forbes will be the first Prime Minister from a Canterbury constituency.