BEST WISHES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 47, 23 August 1930, Page 13

BEST WISHES

FAREWELLED BY HOUSE

"PLAIN GEORGE FORBES"

IMPERIAL MISSION

The best wishes of the members of tho House of Representatives for the success of the Prime Minister (the Hon. 6. W. Forbes) as Now Zealand's rcpresoutativc at the Imperial Conference were expressed by the party leaders before tho House adjourned yesterday afternoon for th week-end. Mr. Forbes leaves for Auckland to connect with the Aorangi on Monday night, and will not appear again iv the House before departing. In briefly acknowledging the members' farewell, Mr. Forbes said he would endeavour to the- utmost of Ms ability to promoto at the Conference that spirit Of unity which he beKoved was essential to the success of the British Empire. Rising as the House, was about to adjourn, the Leader of tho Opposition (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates) said ho felt certain that tho members of the Reform Party would like him to extend to Mr. Forbes good wishes for a pleasant trip, although he realised that' it would not bo altogether pleasant, for it would bo hard, arduous, tut most important. They wished him success in his endeavours, and they believed he would represent New ZeaUnd with, credit to himself and the Dominion. (Hoar, hear.) "There is a lot one could say," said Mr. Coates, "and wo have said, a lot. (Laughter.) Wo have not made the Prime Minister's path altogether easy during the last few weeks, but the Prime Minister will realise that, after all, criticism loads to better legislation. lam sure the Prime Minister ■will realise that behind it all there is a very woll recognised, custom. Now that he is leaving the country, I wish to extend to him our felicitations and ■wish him au revoir and a safe return to New Zealand with the New Zealand flag still flying at the top_ of the mast in her endeavours to assist and join dn everything that will lead to a larger, 'higher, and finer Empire, and above all; complete understanding amongst the people of the Empire." (Applause.) PEOGEESS AND PEACE. Tho Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland) joined in extending •very best wishes to Mr. Forbes, and expressed the hope that the Imperial Conference would bo successful and that matters which made for the progress of the nations and for the peace of the world would be items of front rank consideration. Ho thought he expressed the wish of the whole of tho people of New Zealand in saying that he hoped Mr. Forbes would come back the plain George Forbes he went away. They would try to serve the best interests of the country while he was away, and they all hoped that his actions at the Conference would tend to broaden out the British Commonwealth of Nations. He concluded by giving voice to the hope that' Mr. Forbes would enjoy his trip and come back safe and sound. (Applause.) ME. FORBES' GRATITUDE. Greeted with applause as he rose to roply, Mr. Forbes acknowledged the leaders' thanks for the good wishes exprtssed. Ho said it was particularly pleasant because he had in mind tho fact that they had "■ passed through a very strenuous fortnight—perhaps the most strenuous in the history of the New.Zealand Parliament. There had never before been so much contentious legislation packed into so short a time tis during Jho last fortnight. The passage of the legislation would not. have been possible had it not been for the co-operation of the members of _ the House. Any one of the measures might •well have "been held up for a considerable time. He recognised as an old Parliamentarian that he was indebted to the members for the consideration •they had shown. In. asking them to ■work inordinately long hours he recognised that he had expected a good deal of them. It was most difficult for members to place themselves under restraint when important matters wore being discussed, and he felt that the work had been got throngh very well, and without any feeling of irritation. In leaving for the Imperial Conference lie felt gratitude to the members for the way they had assisted him. He iccognised the importance of his mission, and that the sentiment of New Zealand towards the Old Land was very strong and deep. He hoped that "!n going to England to voice the wishes of the people of the Dominion he might be- of some service in keeping that feeling alive throughout the Ein•pire He believed it was only by greater unity that the prosperity of the Empire would develop. The Mother Land and tho Dominions must stand shoulder to shoulder and closer together than ever they had done m tho past. His endeavour would be to promote to tho utmost that spirit of unity which he believed" would make for the success of the Empire. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon): • 'You won't como back Lord Cheviot, Will you?" (Laughter.) Mr. Forbes: "No, I assure the honourable gentleman that I won't do that;l feel that the title of 'Plain George Forbes' is tho proudest title I want." (Applause.)