LEADER OF OPPOSITION

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 87, 5 November 1936, Page 3

LEADER OF OPPOSITION

RT. HON. G. W. FORBES RESIGNS i The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, in fulfil- ! ment of a promise made recently, ten- . dered his resignation as Leader of the Opposition on Saturday last, and the Hon. Adam Hamilton, National member for Wallace, has been elected to succeed him, the selection having subsequently been endorsed by the Dominion Council of the National Party. Statement by Mr Forbes After the caucus Mr Forbes issued the following statement: — “Now that the first session of Parliament has concluded, I have decided that I can, without any disadvantage to the National Party, withdraw from the position of leader of the Opposition. In doing so, I wish to express my gratitude to my colleagues for their loyal support during the time that I have occupied that position. “After our defeat at the elections I felt that it was my duty to disregard my personal inclinations and to carry on as Leader of the Opposition until such a time as matters had sufficiently settled down to allow a wise decision in regard to my successor. That time lias now come. I recognise that a certain amount of unpopularity must be carried by myself as the head of the Government that was responsible for the measures of economy and retrenchment which were put into effect to meet the necessities of the depression. I make no apology for the action then taken. I and those associated with me believed that it was a wise course to adopt, and the country’s emergence from that depression with its finances in a sound condition, in my opinion, gives ample proof of that.

“However, now we have to plan for the future, and a new leader and a nejv party not handicapped by that unpopularity will be more likely to be successful at the next election. My earnest desire is for the success of the National party, and I will in every way do my part to contribute towards that end. I wish to commend to the members of the party Mr Hamilton, who has been selected as my successor. T. am sure he will prove an able leader who will command general respect and loyalty. ’ ’