EMPHATIC DENIAL

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 275, 26 November 1935, Page 5

EMPHATIC DENIAL

MADE IN ADVANCE

AIR FORBES AND DEMOCRATS

(Per Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night

The Prime Alinister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, has given an emphatic denial to the rumour that he had entered into an arrangement with the Democrat Party to break with the Reform Party after the election and issue an invitation to the Democrats to from a Government.

Speaking at Leeston this afternoon Mr Forbes stated that there was a rumour current in the Rangitikci and Wanganui electorates that the Democrats were to announce to-mor-row that arrangements had been entered into. between the Democrats and the United Party, whereby, after the elections, he would break from the Reform Party and invite the Democrats to form a Government, There was a good deal of laughter from the audience of more than 250 when he (Mi’ Forbes) told them of this, but amusement changed to hearty applause after his blunt denial of the suggestion.

“The thing is so fantastic that 1 do not need to answer it for the people of Canterbury,” Mr Forbes said. “They know me and have known me all my life. One of the things I do place the greatest value on is my good name. I have always endeavoured to carry out my pledges. An honourable agreement was entered into between parties forming the Government, and ha's been carried out honourably right throughout the country.

“They were not going to announce this rumour about a break with the Reform Party until to-morrow, so that I could not reply to it, and I thought that it was just as well to scotch the rumour before to-morrow comes, and in that way answer it.”