PREMIER FAREWELLED.

Wairarapa Age, 26 August 1930, Page 5

PREMIER FAREWELLED.

GATHERING AT THORNDON STATION. RAPID JOURNEY TO ENGLAND IN PROSPECT. (By Telegraph.—“ The Age” Special.) WELLINGTON, August 25. Clear at last of deputations and of legislative rushes, the Hon. G. W. Forbes (Prime Minister) with Mrs. Forbes and the New Zealand delegation to the Imperial Conference had a happy send-off on Thorndon Station to-night, when the Limited Express was caught for Auckland, there to connect with the mail steamer Aorangi for Canada. Thence to England it will be a rapid journey and the party only arrives two days before the conference opens. The gathering on the platform included Lieut. Elworthy, representing the Gov, ernor-General, Sir Walter Carncross, Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Charles Statham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all members <H Cabinet and the executive of the UniW ed Party, a large number of membejl of the Lower House and Mrs. B. S Wood, daughter of the late Sir Jbseph Ward, who presented Mrs. Forbes with a large bouquet. The Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. Hori. G. Coates) was one of the last to grip the Prime Minister's hand and express his good wishes. “Good-bye and a Merry Christmas, George,” said his political opponent cheerily. “Thanks, Gordon,” replied the Prime Minister, “a Happy Now Year to you.” The crowd raised three rousing cheers for “Honest George,” and the train moved off. Absolutely the last to board the train was the head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Mr. F. D. Thomson, who imperturbably arrived a couple of minutes before departure time and said his farewell unhurriedly. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Forbes are accompanied as far as Auckland by their two daughters? Their son, Robert, said good-bye in Wellington, for he carries responsibility for his father’s farm and is anxious to get back to Cheviot.