NATIONAL PARTY

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1925, Page 5

NATIONAL PARTY

LEADERSHIP VACATED

ILL-HEALTH DISABILITY.

MR FORBES TAKEiS CHARGE

(Special td "Northern Advocate.") ' WELLINGTON, This Day.

Owing to ill-health Mr T. M. Wilford has found it necessary to relinquish the leadership of the National .Party and his resignation was submitted to the caucus of the party.

Hr Wilford's medical adviser has in

sisted upon Mr. Wilford's retirement frogi active participation in political affairs and declares that, while Mr, Wilford is . suffering from no organic trouble, absolute, rest from worry and responsibility is essential for sometime to come.

Mr G. W. Forbes, member for HurujMii, has been appointed leader of the party in succession to Mr Wilford.

The caucus accepted Mr Wilford'a resignation with deep regret and put on record its appreciation of his qualities and services as a leader. Every member of the party acknowledged the sacrifices he had made in the interests of the party and the capacity, patience, tact, organising ability ind perseverance he had exhibited in the difficult circumstances under the threeparty system.

The caucus extended its sincere sympathy to Mr Wilford and expressed thp hope that a complete rest would soon lead him to speedy restoration of healtli so that he might again take his place in the political affairs of the country.

In the House yesterday afternoon Mr E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua) proposed that leave of absence be granted to Mr Wilfors until the end of the session on -account of ill-health.

The Prime Minister said he regretted very much that it should be necessary to move such a motion. He was Mire that every member of the House would regret the absence of such a well known figure. He sincerely regretted the necessity for his absence and 4®lt sure that every member would hope that Mr Wilford would soon be restored to his former state of health and be back among them once more. Mr Wilford was the oldest member of the House and many members had pleasant remembrances of instances in which they had received help and advice from him. He hoped he would come back completely restored in, health to assist in carrying on the work of Parliament.

Mr Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, said he wished to endorse the remarks that -Jiad fallen from the Prinze; Minister. He /hoped that the trip Mr Wilford to take would bring him back to health. ,Mr -occupied Mr Wilford'a seat !on the- front Opposition bench, returned thanks for the references that had been made to his leader. The public, his said, jdid not realise the great strain there was upon men who were taking a prominent part in the work of the Parliament of the country. Mr Wilford's breakdown was entirely due to the work he had been doing. Mr Forbes was pleased to hear the expressions of goodwill from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Labour Party.