DOMINION POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 5

DOMINION POLITICS.

SIR J. WARD’S SUCCESSOR. HON. G. W. FORBES CHOSEN. LEADER OF UNITED PARTY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Hon. G. W. Forbes was this evening elected Leader of the United Party and virtually Prime Minister of New Zealand, in succession to Sir Joseph Ward, who will take an early opportunity of recommending Ilis 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 being 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 to which he would adhere. The decision was made by means of elimination ballots. In the first test Messrs Veitch and Atmore tied for last 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.

It is believed that the margin of victory was narrow 7. It is stated that Mr Ransom w 7 as the first to congratulate Mr Forbes on his victory. Sir Thomas Sidey, the AttorneyGeneral, and Mr G. C. Munns, the member for Roskill, acted as scrutineers for the ballots.

Who has been elected Leader of the United Party in succession to Sir Joseph Ward.

Hon. G. W. Forbes entered Parliament at the general election of 1908, as successor to Mr A. W. Rutherford, in the representation of Hurunui, after passing through the ordeal of a second ballot, and has held the seat ever since to the satisfaction of an agricultural community that has found the advantage of being served by one of themselves. In later years Mr Forbes probably has become more of a politician than of a farmer, and incidentally has acquired an intimate knowledge of the standing orders and public affairs. [VIR COATES’ CONGRATULATIONS. GOOD QUALITIES RECOGNISED. AUCKLAND, Thursday. . “I extend to Mr Forbes my heartiest congratulations on his selection as leader of his party and the high honour that is about to be conferred on him, and I share with him regret at the circumstances that have made it necessary for Sir Jospeh Ward to retire,” said the Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon., J. G. Coates, last evening. “Mr Forbes will also have the congiatulations of all the members of Parliament. While many of us disagree with him concerning the solution of New 7 Zealand’s problems, that does not prevent us from recognising •, many good personal qualities which Mr Forbes possesses. It is one of the great features of our political life that we can disagree and yet be friends. It is the presence in Parliament of such men as Mr Forbes and the example they set to the newer members that preserves this very desirable attribute in our public life.” STATEMENT BY MR FORBES. DIFFICULTIES TO BE FACED. TRIBUTE TO SIR J. WARD. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. “ I greatly appreciate the high honour that has been conferred upon me,” said Mr Forbes in an interview. “ i would, of course, have been better pleased had I attained this office at a time when there was greater general prosperity in the country, but we must recognise that a serious drop has taken place in the prices of our primary products, which will be felt throughout the country. But it only means that the situation will have to be faced, and I have every confidence that New Zealand will face the position. “ While the experience may be trying, at the same time I feel quite certain that in a country like this, with so much scope for development, our present difficulties will only be comparatively short. Our country has many avenues for development and now the necessity has arisen these w 7 ill be exploited. I regret sincerely that it has been necessary for my old chief to stand down. I came into Parliament w 7 hen he was Prime Minister and I have associated with him more or less closely ever since. ■ “it must have been a very great wrench for him to part with a position for which he was so well fitted. He has decided to remain connected with the Executive Council as a member without portfolio, giving up the advantage of his sound experience and mature judgement in the problems that will, no doubt, have to be solved in the near future. “ It is specially cheering for me to feel that the party is unanimous in its decision in regard to myself as leader, and to know that it is behind me heart and soul in regard to the work we have in front of us. There is no question Jiext column J,

whatever of division of opinion in our ranks. We are absolutely solid and that will no doubt be of very great assistance when we come to meet Parliament.” Mr Forbes said it would not be necessary to delay the opening Parliament on account of the alteration of leadership. “ A good deal of the immediate legislation is prepared and will be ready for submission when Parliament opens,” he said. “ Some important hills are yet to be finalised, and upon these Cabinet will concentrate, sitting fairly continuously from now onwards until the opening, of the session. As a result the Ministers may not be able to devote the same attention to visiting outlying dstricts and accept invitations to functions. We hope to have our programme well in hand and finalised before Parliament meets, which will be about the usual time, June 26. FARMERS’ CONGRATULATIONS. A PROUD POSITION. (Bv Telegraph.—Press Association.) WANGANUI,. Thursday. On the motion of Mr. C. C. Jackson, chairman, the inter-provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union, which commenced to-day, decided to telegiaph its congratulations to Hon. G. W. Forbes on his elevation to the position of Leader of the United Party. The chairman said it was a position of which any New Zealand-horn man might be proud. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THURSDAY, JUNE 26. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Deputy-Premier, Hon. G. W. Forbes, announced definitely to-day that Parliament will meet on Thursday, June 26. This is the usual time for the commencement of the session.