PRIME MINISTER.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13106, 14 November 1935, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER.

ADDRESS AT EKETAHUNA,

REPLY TO MR SAVAGE, Electric Telegraph—Press Association EKETAHUNA, Last Night. In the course of a political address at Eketahuna this afternoon th-3 Prime Ministei, Mr Forbes, made special reference to Labour’s attitude to the formation of the Coalition Government. “I notice in the newspapers that Air Savage questions my Statement that the Labour party was invited to join the Coalition. It- is difficult to understand the Opposition leader’s challenge. He was one of the delegates and it must be tz curious lapse oi memory that makes him sa.v no offer of that sort was made. I was in the chair when the delegates of the parties met, and I asked the late Air Holland across the table: ‘Will you join, a, National Government?’ He refused, and gave his reasons for refusing. Now Mr Savage says the offer was not made, but there happen to be other members of tlie committee who were there and can bear out my statement.” Air Forbes reviewed the period of the depress on and claimed that the Government’s policy and achievements had saved the country from economic disaster. The Mayor presided over a large attendance and Air Forbes was accorded a vote of thanks. (The Prime Minister, with Airs Forbes and party, drove through PaLiatua yesterday about midday on their way to Eketahuna).