EFFECT ON DOMINION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 48, 25 August 1931, Page 9

EFFECT ON DOMINION

MR. FORBES'S COMMENT

PRAISE FOR LEADERS

The dramatic political development in Great Britain is the main topic of discussion in the Parliamentary lobbies this morning, and many members are speculating as to the possible effect the British coalition will have on the trend of events in New Zealand. It is argued by some members that an excellent lead has been set the New Zealand Labour Party to consider seriously the question of joining a National Government if the inter-party conference is at all unanimous on that issue. Party leadors interviewed this morning were disinclined to comment on the effect the altered situation in the United Kingdom would have on New Zealand polities, but the Prime Minister (the Bight Hon. G. W. Forbes) had a few observations to make in praise of the stand taken by the Conservatives and Labour leaders. "The first thing that strikes one in connection with the development in Great Britain," said Mr. 3?orbes, "is the patriotism Mr. Baldwin, the head of a very strong Opposition Party, has shown in accepting office under Mr. Macßonald, and Mr. Mac Donald is to be commended for taking a course which is undoubtedly in the interests of the Empire. It indicates that when the necessities of the country call these men are prepared to sink their personal and their party ambitions, and with such a spirit in evidence one feels more hopeful of tho future concerning the affairs in Grout Britain. "There is no doubt," added Mr. Forbes, "that the Old Country has her difficulties, and tlmt these arc becoming grcatcx-. AYe in New Zealand are very closely concerned with the prosperity and well being of Great Britain because that is the market for our products, and if anything goes wrong with our principal customer it must react upon us here. The knowledge that her Parliamentarians have set out for the stabilisation of their political situation augurs well for action concerning the industrial and commercial problems. Tho question of Imperial preference will now come into greater prominence than over before, and will assuredly receive more serious consideration than has been dovoferl to this important subject in the pasl."