NEW LEADER

Southland Times, Issue 21089, 22 May 1930, Page 5

NEW LEADER

THE UNITED PARTY * HON G. W.FORBES SELECTION. BY BALLOT FOUR NAMES SUBMITTED NEXT PRIME MINISTER (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 21. The Hon. G. W. Forbes was to-night elected leader of the United Party and virtually Prime Minister of New Zealand in succession to the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, who will take an early opportunity, probably to-morrow, of recommending his Excellency the Governor-General to invite Mr Forbes to form a Ministry. This Mr Forbes will undertake to do. There were four nominations for the position, the candidates beifig the Hons. G. W. Forbes, E. A. Ransom, W. A. Veitch, and H. Atmore. Each candidate was given an opportunity of addressing the caucus and outlining the main planks of the policy he would adhere to. The decision was made by means of elimination ballots.’ In the first test the Hons. W. A. Veitch and H. Atmore “tied” in bottom place, and it was agreed that both should be eliminated. The issue was then fought out by Messrs Forbes and Ransom, and after the ballot had been taken it was announced that Mr Forbes had been elected. The actual details of the voting, it Is understood, were not announced, allhough it Is believed that the margin of victory was narrow. It is stated that, Mr Ransom was the first to congratulate Mr Forbes on his victory. .The Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey (AttorneyGeneral) and Mr G. C. Munns (Roskill) acted as scrutineers for the ballots. Quick use was made .of the long distance telephone to advise Sir Joseph Ward at Rotorua of the result, but it is said that (he retiring Prime Minister was asleep. The time was then 9.15 p.m. The caucus commenced at 10.30, all the members of the party, ■ except. Mr J. S. Fletcher, who was not invited, being present. Members of the party expressed a unanimous wish that Sir Joseph Ward should retain his position as member of the Executive Council without a pori folio and obtained a reply from him acceding, and stating that his advice would at any time be at the disposal of the new Government. It is understood the meeting discussed land settlement and the South Island railway and that dissatisfaction was expressed with the slow progress of the latter. Is is anticipated that the new Government will have a month to prepare for the meeting of Parliament and it is not considered likely any postponement of the opening of the session will be necessary. Co-operation Essential. A message was received by the United caucus from Sir Joseph Ward by telephone from Rotorua to-day informing members of the party that he had been compelled to resign owing to the advice of his doctors. '’ He expresses heartfelt appreciation of the loyal support and assistance given him by the" party since the Government assumed office and says that although relinquishing office he will still continue to be a member representing Invercargill. After claiming that the Government can look back with satisfaction on a programme of definite achievement Sir Joseph Ward says that the new leader must have the loyalty and warm-hearted co-operation of all members of the party. , . “Especially is loyal cohesion in the parly essential at a time when its number in Parliament is not relatively strong,” he says. “I am sure that your selection will be guided by a realization of the importance of the occasion.” In conclusion Sir Joseph Ward trusts that the principles of Liberalism will still remain the guiding factors of the new Government’s platform.

Subsequently the Chief Whip, Mr Murdoch, announced that the caucus passed unanimously the following resolution proposed by Sir A. Ngata seconded by Sir T. Sidey: “Members of the party desire to place on record keen appreciation of the distinguished services rendered to the Dominion by Sir Joseph Ward throughout a long period of service in the public life of the Dominion. For over 4'o years Sir Joseph has served his country as a private member of the House, Minister of the Crown and Prime Minister. During this long term he has always been actuated by an intense zeal and earnest desire to promote the progress and well-being of the Dominion and its people. Not only in our domestic sphere of Government has he taken a prominent part but in the wider field of Empire he has been an outstanding figure. We feel he has deservedly earned the thanks of the country for his illustrious services. We extend to our leader our heartfelt sympathy in his indisposition and our sincere wishes that he may speedily regain good health and still have many happy years spared to him.”

The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands, and Minister of Agriculture, has been a Liberal all his life, having been a keen supporter of the late Mr G. Laurenson when that Liberal first won the Lyttelton seat. Mr Forbes was bom at Lyttelton, and was educated at the public school there and at the Christchurch Boys’ High School. He was in business in Lyttelton, and when the Cheviot Estate came into the hands of the Liberal Government under the Land and Income Tax Act he was in the ballot for sections and drew an exceptionally good one. He has taken a lively interest in all public affairs in the settlement. He imbibed principles of ' Liberalism from Mr Laurenson. He was defeated in his first attempt to win the Hurunui seat in 1902. In 1908 he polled 2056 against Mr O. F. Clothier’s 1356, Mr G. D. Greenwood’s 509 and Mr G. T. Pully’s 309. A second ballot gave him a substantial majority. He has represented Hurunui ever since. He was Liberal Whip from 1912 until his election as Leader of the Opposition in 1925, on the retirement of Mr Wilford. As a member of a Land Commission which visited all parts of New Zealand in 1905 he was able to study , the practical working of the land laws. In his younger days he was a representative footballer and oarsman. Mr Forbes retired from the leadership of the Nationalist Party in September, 1928, when it became merged with the United Party. He was appointed Deputy Leader of the United Party for the South Island. At the 1928 election Mr Forbes was again returned as Hurunui’s representative in Parliament. Mr Forbes has been acting as Prime Minister throughout Sir Joseph Ward’s illness.