A COMMERCIAL M.P.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11302, 30 August 1922, Page 5

A COMMERCIAL M.P.

INVITATION TO MR. FORSYTH. TO REPRESENT DRAPERY AND COMMERCE. At the presentation to Mr T. Forsyth last evening, the chairman, Mr F. T. Page, said that at , tlie last Drapers’ Conference in Christchurch a remit was passed on the question of Hie representation of business men rn Parliament, “that the federation consider the advisability of taking steps, in conjunction with kindred associations, in an endeavour to gain adequate representation of business men in Parliament at the next Genera] Election.*’ Tlie conference unanimously decided that the time bad arrived when the trade should make strenuous efforts to induce someone with a knowledge of their requirements to represent them and the commercial community generally in Parliament. There was a possibility of this being achieved if Mr Forsyth would consent to stand, as the opportunity now presented itself. During his speech in acknowledgment of the presentation, Mr Forsyth said the hope had been expressed that ho would represent them in Parliament. He thanked them for the invitation, and while he could say nothing definite at present, there were possibilities. (Applause.) He admitted that during tlie last few years he had had a busy time, but .they had been wort.li while. He had had a hand in framing the progressive poliqy carried out by the Wellington Education Board in the last four years, and he was sorry all his hopes had not been realised owing to financial stringency. With regard to civic affairs, any time he had given to this work had not been at the expense of hi 3 firm. SPAR WITH THE MINISTER.

He was said to he a man who spoke his mind, and perhaps that was so. He did not mind standing up and expressing his opinion so long as he had a good orief for his action. It was true that he had sometimes had a little spar with the Minister for Education, but he thought they were still very good friends. (Hear, hear.) He had had occasion to have a few oandid talks with him, but they both respected each other. (Applause.)