TRIBUTE TO LATE RT. HON. G.W. FORBES

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1947, Page 7

TRIBUTE TO LATE RT. HON. G.W. FORBES

P.A. WELLINGTON, May 19. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, left to-night for the South Island to attend the funeral of the late Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes.

The Acting High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Mr N. E. Costar, said to-day that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom is forwarding a wreath “as a token of remembrance and esteem” in connection with the death of Mr Forbes.

OPPOSITION LEADER’S TRIBUTE

“In the passing of Rt. Hon. George Forbes, New Zealand loses one of her most, distinguished son.%” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, in a tribute. “Mr Forbes gave a lifetime of service to the public, and the sorrow at his passing will be very widespread throughout New Zealand. He was the personification of all that was upright, staunch and true in public life. He never flinched when duty called. He accepted his successes with modesty and calm, and his reverses and adversities were borne with resolution and courage. His life, his attributes, and his qualities were an example to all who are in public life. Mr Forbes had great love of the Empire, and did much to strengthen the bonds between the Motherland and New Zealand. His visits to other countries won for him the widest respect as a statesman of the highest, repute. I owe much to Mr Forbes for valuable counsel he was always ready to give me during the years we sat together in Parliament, and he was ever - ready to draw upon his long and varied experience for the benefit of those who sought his advice. Since he retired from political life in 1943, Mr Forbes had been able to return to his beautiful farm at Crystalbrook,, Cheviot, and to enjoy the company of his family. He was never happier than when entertaining his wide circle of friends. The sympathy of many thougands will go out to Mrs Forbes and her family in their irrepairable loss of one who earned for himself the deserving title of “Honest George Forbes.” LONDON, May 19. The Times, devoting half a column to the death of Mr Forbes, says: “As a New Zealand representative he did his utmost to advance the cause of imperial preference, and, when he failed to gain acceptance of his views to took his defeat in excellent part. He thoroughly understood the conditions of the Dominion, whose people both liked and trusted him. His years of Cabinet office were comparatively short, but his services to them, especially regarding land settlement, were of lasting value.”