UNITED LEADER

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1930, Page 6

UNITED LEADER

MR FORBES CHOSEN

THE POLICY DEBATE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May .20

At the United Caucus, the..preliminary discussion this' morning consisted of a general debate on policy matters. It was expected that the real business of the Caucus and selection of a leader would be reached late this afternoon, the meeting concluded in time for the members to get away in the evening. It is understood that the United Party’s meeting discussed land settlement and also the South Island. Railway, and that dissatisfaction was expressed with the slow progress df the railway. It is anticipated that- the new Government will have a month to prepare ;fori ythe meeting, pfcParliament and it is not considered likely that a lit: pislpopernenf-pf' the opening of the session will-I)e .necGSsary.. ;r

the leadership

WELLINGTON, May 21. • ft Th e United CaucJis- hYis 'selected.-' George-'-- W. Forces, to - succeed. -Sir. Joseph Ward As Leader of the United. Party.

A CLOSE FINAL,

BETWEEN FORBES AND RANSOM

WELLINGTON, Ala|j|t. The Hon. G.' W. Forbes was •t(i-i|ght elected Leader of the United Jayty, and virtually Prime .Minister of Zealand, in succession to the Rt. . Hon. Sir Jospeh Ward, who will .take an early opportuniy—probably to-morrow —of recommending H-s , Excellepcy the Governor-General, • to - invite. Mr Forbes to ,form ; :a :Alilii|try v . • Tbis Mr' Forbes • w-iJI-ffnderta Ice to (K). There were four nominations for the position, the candidates being.:— Hon. G. W. Forbes. Hon. E. A. Ransom. Hon. W. A. Veiteh. Hon. H. Atmore.

Each candidate was given an opportunity of addressing the Caucus and o titling the main planks of the policy he V \v ouhf-a d here --.t o> Tlie decisionwas--made by means o'l elimination; ballots. In the first test tlie Hon. W. A. Veiteh and Hon. 11. Atmore “tied’’ at bottom' lace. It was then agreet that both should be eliminated. FORBES v. RANSOM. The issue was. _ then;; fought out,by Messrs Forbes and Ransom, and after .♦lie:ballot- had [been taken, it was anmoiihcod 'that- 'tVir Forbes bad bum elected. The actual details of the voting, it is understood, were not announced, although it is believed that the margin of victory was narrow.

It is stated .that Mr Ranssm was the first to congratulate Mr Forbes on bis victory.

, The Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey OAttnr- - C. Munns (Roskll) acted 'as scrutineers for the ballots.

Quick usewas made of ..the Tong distance telephone to advise Sir Joseph Ward a+ Rotorua of the result, but it is said that the retiring Prime Minister was asleep. The time wax then.,9.15 p.m.

SIR J. VSi?S~AI^SSAGi

WELLINGTON, May 21

A messagu was received by the Caucus from Sir J. Ward by telephone trorn Rotorua to-day, informing members of the Party that he had been compelled to resign owing to the adrice of fhis doctors. lie expressed heartfelt appreciation for the loyai support and assistance given him by the Party since the Government assumed office, and said that although relinquishing office, he would still continue to be a member representing Invercargill. Ai'Jter claiming that the ■ Government can look back with satisfaction on the programme of definite achievment, Sir J. Ward said that the lien leader must have the loyalty and whole-hearted eo-oeration of. the members of the Party. “Especially is loyal cohesion in the Party essential at a time when its number in Parliament is not relatively strong, he says. “I am sure that your selection will he guided hv the realisation ol the importance of the occasion.” In conclusion, Sir J. Ward trusts the principle of Liberalism will still remain the guiding factors of the new Government’s platform.

WELLINGTON, May 22. The Caucus went on to 11 p.m. when Hon G. W. Forbes announced the Government’s programme was ready for Parliament which would meet about .Tune 26th. Later* he said Cabinet would sit fairly continuously till the meeting of Parliament, to finalise important policy measures. Mr Forbes said he appreciated the