MR FORBES IN CANADA

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1930, Page 7

MR FORBES IN CANADA

NEWSPAPERMEN IMPRESSED. (By FRED TAVISAILOAV, of Southam Press of Canada.) VANCOUVER, S»ptem|jr 4 15. “Here is .another hard rock from / down under,’’ said Canadians when the Hon. . George W. Forbes, Prime Minister of New Zealand, stood on tlie 'deck of the Aorangi, eagerly getting Eiis first glimpse of Vancouver. On his way to the Empire Economic Conference in London, the New Zealand diplomat was royally welcomed by Canadians," and right across the con-

tinent lie has been made to feel that the big 'Dominion holds Jter little sister in an esteem out of all proportion to tlie relative sizes.

“The Prime Minister of New Zealand might well have been hewn from the rocks, which, in his youth, he cleared from > his lands near ' Christ* church,”, said .Canadian newspapermen, as the big ship eased to the dock at Vancouver. The dr.rkufess on deck —for the ship; arriwtl in the early morning—was shot by yellow gleams from the saloon, and the unusually broad, huLot-headed man, whose shouldersybarely. cleared the rail, stood on the promenade . deck, his eyes snapping in the fitful light, eager to take in Canada and all Canada means to New Zealand.,' / •. In spite' of the early hour, as he came down the gangway, his wife at one side, and Sir Thomas K. Sidey, hero of the Daylight Saving Bill, at the other, he was greeted by a storm of cheers, broken only when the welcoming official party and newspapermen approached him. “He looks like a fighter, this man,” said the reporters. “He is a man of two knobby, driving fists, and his forehead beetles over deep-set, blue orbs, shaded hv fierce, shaggy eyebrows. But .when< yOul look intOr his eyes, you .know that he is not all fighter. His eyes sparkle with humour, kindliness, .and- an appreciative curiosity /of, all that goes on about him” 'V:,.. “POISE AND CONFIDENCE.” “Welcome to Canada,” said Mayor C. Douglas, of Vancouver, head of the official party. “We extend to you fraternal .greetings, we welcome you as citizens of a great Empire.” Mr Forbes’ voice surprised the Free from a,n irAmerican accent, it was gentle and' musical. His . manner was suave an‘*d; 'courteous. He had poise and confidence. He won the admiration of ; every man who met him on ♦be wharf. To newspapermen he was not communicative; he did not indulge in political fireworks, and he was dubbed a.in an of action, not of words.

It was not until he addressed the Canadian Club later in the day that his eloquence was called suave and his polities sound. ! ’The Canadians had great difficulty in pronouncing Hurunui, Mr Forbes’ constituency. He explained what it meant in Maori—an expanse of scrub land. “And I cannot be blamed for liking it well,” he added with a chuckle, “I was elected there 22 years ago,, and the people have kept me in Parliament ever since!” The Prime Minister was asked if he had.any message to give the Canadian 'people. “Only this,” ]<b replied. “There is a. need of mutual faith in (jomnieree, particularly between members of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and one-sided trade is absolutely without value. While 1 will not consider any one-sided trade agreements, I can assure you the people of New Zealand want to do business with you. We want to be friendly with you, wo have great regard and esteem for you. I am glad I am in a British community and I hope our traditional, friendship will icontiinie, souldered by my visit.” “WILL KEEP ALL AIY PROMISES.” Mr Forbes was asked if he had any message to send back to New Zealand newspapers and to those whp are awaiting the result of liis conference with Premier R. B. Bennett, “Tell Now. Zealand f'ol' me,” he asked, i that I see bright things coming out of | the visit to Canada, and that I ioel sure it will do a great dead of good. Adjustment is only needed to bring trade relations back into perfect harmony. I will keep all the promises I have made, and altogether I will work, in the interests of my country.” ’With Mrs Forbes, New Zealand’s Prime Minister was taken to the Hotel Vancouver, where the party stayed a day. They left in the evening, travelling over the Canadian National Railway, stopping at Jaspar, and then at Edmonton, Alberta, where a small party of New Zealanders metthem. One of this party was E. B. E. Taylor, ex-champion long distance runner of Canterbury College. Everywhere Air Forbes was received with true Canadian hospitality, which is equal only to that of New Zealand.