VERDICT ACCEPTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 29 November 1935, Page 8

VERDICT ACCEPTED

MR. FORBES’ STATEMENT

NO PERSONAL FEELING SUPPORTERS THANKED I Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. Declaring that he accepted the verdict of the country in the sporting spirit, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, in a statement made in Wellington last night, expressed the hope that the Labour Party would so conduct its administration that the country would be able to enjoy the prosperity of which it was just beginning to feel the benefit. “The verdict of the country ha« gone against the Government, and I accept it in the spirit of sportsmanship, and extend my congratulations to the party now commanding the greatest number of supporters, ” he said. “It seems that another policy has proved more attractive than our own, and we can only step back and let new men and new forces—but, I hope, safe principles—guide the destinies of the Dominion. The welfare of the country must be the first consideration of Parliament, no matter what party is in power. '‘The performance of our duty in the interest of the people .as a whole without regard for populawty has been the first consideration of the present Government, and the results haVB been substantially achieved so that we have the satisfaction of being able to hand over the reins of Government with these distinctive points—the national finances are sound, the* credit of the country was never better, prices are rising, business and industry are expanding, unemployment is falling and future prospects are bright. “The work of reconstruction has been carried out carefully on a wellconsidered and widespread plan. It was the responsibility of our party to carry out unpleasant tasks for the general welfare and security of New Zealand. The good effect is now evident.

Sympathy for Defeated “To my colleagues who have been defeated I extend my sympathy. They have courageously taken their part in the difficult task of economic reconstruction. The whole Cabinet has been a loyal, hard-wprking team, which has. considered nothing else but the national interest. In this they have had the full co-operation and backing of the members of our party, many of whom, I regret to note, have fallen in a valiant light. “I am grateful to the new candidates who came forward to support t<he Government and showed such capacity in carrying on the campaign in the Government’s interests. To the great mass of our Joyal supporters in the country I also express my cordial appreciation. It is a satisfaction, too, that the campaign has been a good-tem-pered one and free from personalities. ’ ’ The Prime Minister said the Govern inent had had a difficult task, having to meet unprecedented problems in the solution of which there was no guide by previous experience. In doing what they had done, members of his party had acted as they considered to be best for the country. They had had unpleasant and difficult tasks to perform, but had faced them. The Government had been able to study out a plan in the hope of putting the country back on the rails, and it was satisfying to know that as a result of that plan the country was now enjoying a measure of prosperity. He regretted that so many of his colleagues, who had stood the test loyally in very trying years, had fallen by the way. They had done what they conceived to be their duty, irrespective of its popularity or unpopularity. He accepted the defeat which had fallen upon his followers. In public life there were always reverses, and the man who could not accept these should not be in public life. Hopes for the Future “The future of the country is of the greatest importance,’’ he said. “1 hope that, with the new party in power, we will be able to enjoy the prosperity of which we are just beginning to feel the benefit. We have endeavoured to do our best as we saw it, and in handing over to the Labour Party we do so in the hope that under their guidance the country will continue to prosper.” He had no personal feeling against his successful rivals. He wished to congratulate in particular Air. Savage. They had been friends since they first met. in Parliament. Now that Mr. Savage had a working majority in Parliament he hoped he would do his best for the good of the country, as one would expect of a man so straightforward and honest. “Verdicts come and verdicts go,” continued the Prime Minister. “When one enters public life one must be prepared for them. In this case the verdict has gone against us. But it has been a great honour and privilege for me to occupy the high position of Prime Minister of New Zealand. I am thankful that in leaving it 1 can say that I have always done what 1 hive felt to be my duty, and I think I can say that I have never Jet down in any way the trust reposed in me as Prime Minister. ” In his statement the Prime Minister included a special word of thanks to his “many and loyal’’ supporters in Cheviot. KAIPARA POLL MANY ABSENTEE VOTES [ Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. Dargaville has now advised that there are nearly 700 votes—477 absentee and 127 postal still to come. The declaration votes are not known, but estimates bring the total to over 700 not counted in the Kaipara election where Mr. Coates had a majority at the close of the count of 208. The result may be -seriously affected.