MR FORBES’ WORK PRAISED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1930, Page 8

MR FORBES’ WORK PRAISED

lAIPERIAL CONFERENCE. INVESTIGATION OF BuTTER, AiARKETS. AVELLIN GTON, December 16. “New Zealand has" lost nothing by die visit of the Prime Alinister, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, to this , country,” writes 'Mr Leri M’Kenzie, a former Wellington jcity councillor, to a friend. “If possible, lie lias further endeared it to the; hearts of the sympathetic people of England. “Besides his work at the Imperial Conference, in which he played no on all part, his progress lias been marked by tact and his watchword lias been that New Zealand thinks the Empire is good enoug and has nothing in comnon with the Commonwealth of Nations, which seems to be a higher mounding title, but is apt to lead the mind a little bit away from the Mother-, land. “In the course of his remarks Afr Forbes has emphasised the point that secession! is a quite unknown quantity : n the Dominion, and the word is never used even in the most' impolite society, and Now Zealanders’ only thought is bow they can strengthen the bonds of Empire.

“All through., Afr Forbes has worked hard in the interest of the New Zealand producer. He lias called attention to the uncalled-for difference in mice between New Zealand and Danish butter and, with butter experts, has visited packing stations and has gained an intimate idea of the methods employed to bring New Zealand Butter before the public. The best work he has done in that regard hi nee he has been here was in an interview with the butter ‘kings,’ at which meeting he heard their side of the question Brst and then made his reply. The impression made was 1 so favourable that it can he safely said 'that he remined much of their goodwill. “So seriously has Afr Forbes taken bis visit that he told me he had, unfortunately, to decline many social visits in order to make time to devote to the interests of the producers.” FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION. Mr Forties made only one Tittle mistake in England, according to Air G. W. Skellerup, a Christchurch business man who returned yesterday from a visit to the Old Gountrv.

Mr Skellr-up said that there_woukl be no doubt- that Mr Forbes created a favourable impression on the people of Great Britain and his speeches were received with great interest. “His only little break occurred wlmn be suggested some pre f erence to British manufacturing industries against imports of junk lines from the cheaplabour countries on the Continent,” said Mr Skellerup. “He may have been just -a little forceful and perhaps not quite as discreet as a visiting statesman should be. but that did not alter the fact that he created a really good impresison wherever he went.”