THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. A NEW POLITICAL LEADER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21032, 22 May 1930, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1930. A NEW POLITICAL LEADER.

As was generally anticipated, the United Party assembled in caucus at Wellington for the momentous business of choosing a new leader has selected Mr G. W. Forbes to play the part. Thus speculation, which played with the chances of this honour falling to, some other member of the Cabinet—perhaps to Mr Ransom or Mr Atmore—and even made show of discovering in Mr R. Masters, who does not at present adorn a seat in Parliament, but was chairman of the United Party during the 1928 campaign, a formidable figure in the running for its political headship, is definitely set at rest. Mr Forbes is entitled to congratulations and perhaps to some sympathy. In assuming the mantle of Sir Joseph Ward he has a difficult part to play. There is the question of the measure of the impoverishment of the Ministry in consequence of the withdrawal of Sir Joseph Ward’s active contribution to its strength, such as that has been. Lacking the degree of popular support commanded by Sir Joseph Ward’s acceptance of its leadership at a psychological political moment the United Party could not have hoped to step up to the Treasury benches. ■- The results of the election of 1928 were to a very large extent a personal triumph for the veteran politician whose mana was sufficient to exercise a deciding influence in certain wavering constituencies affected by a kind of'reactionary restlessness for which they had little substantial reason but which rendered them susceptible to highly coloured pictures of benefits that would follow in the wake of a transfer of political power and a change of Government. So far as the mind of the country is concerned it is probable that the pendulum has since then swung back more than perceptibly to its former position. Certainly if. a proportion of the electors expected more than was reasonable in the way of achievement from the Ufaited Party that argued an over-sanguine and highly impressionable disposition on their part. Sir Joseph Ward led the United Party out of the wilderness, and now he can lead it no longer. That the party, lacking his captaincy, is endowed with . any genius for the shrewd and comfortable navigation of the Ship of State cannot be very seriously pretended. However, upon the course that has been set it must make the best headway it can so long as the political currents permit. As the most serious rival of Mr Forbes for the leadership of the party Mr Ransom had been pointed to, and that no doubt with due regard to the attributes of which -he has given evidence during his brief political career. But Mr Forbes’s long record of parliamentary experience was certainly entitled to receive due weight. His leadership of the House in the absence of Sir Joseph Ward strengthened his claim to the recognition which has now been accorded him by the party caucus. That the position of the United Party is materially affected by the change in its leadership is sufficiently apparent. Such glamour as attached in the minds of a proportion of the electors to the Prime Ministership of Sir Joseph Ward is no longer available as a political asset. The allegiance which Sir Joseph was able to command from his parliamentary following is not a factor vwhich he is able to leave at the disposal of his successor. Will Mr Forbes be able to hold the party together? Suggestions have not been lacking that its cohesion must now be seriously threatened. In his message to the caucus from Rotorua Sir Joseph Ward particularly emphasises the importance of “loyal co-operation.” Doubtless he has reason to do so. For the rest, Mr Forbes having been selected for the United Party leadership, it should fall in the natural sequence of events that he should step into the Prime Ministership, when his first task will • be to reconstruct the Ministry. The shuffling and. allotment of portfolios will be the first serious test, no of the cohesion of the United Party in the changed circumstances. As for Mr Forbes’s qualifications to be the head of the Government 'much comment is not called for. He has had a long parliamentary experience, and his straightforward methods, honesty of purpose, and capacity for hard work have earned for him high respect as a man. It is the way of the public, however, to look for more outstanding qualities in a Prime Minister than Mr Forbes-can be fairly said to possess. He is not impressive on the platform or in the important matter of personality. For conjecture as to how the United Party may fare in the near future under his leadership there is room enough.