NOT FOR A HOLIDAY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1932, Page 6

NOT FOR A HOLIDAY

WHY PARLIAMENT ADJOURNED

SPEECH BY MR FORBES,

PAHIATUA, December 12,

In a speech here on Saturday evening Mr Forbes said that the adjournment of Parliament was not for the purposes of a holiday, but so that Cabinet could make a study of the country s financial difficulties. He likened hie experiences to driving a motor-car i-.i reverse gear; —: However,- he -would not shirk his responsibilities. Mr Forbe s visited Pahiatua for the purpose of opening a new reinforced arch bridge of striking design acr«"s the Ma-ngatainoka River between the town and the railway station. The bridge is 477 feet long and 35 feet wide, with footpaths on either side. It cost £14.000. The cutting of the ribbon by the Prime Minister was done electrically, following the idea employed when the King opened the Lambeth Bridge, , Afternoon tea was served and a banquet held in the evening, the expenses of entertaining being personally defrayed by Mr. S. Bolton, county chairman.

■At the banquet. in honou r of Mr For.beis, Mr G. Harold' Smith propped the toast of the Government He commended the action it had taken in the mest -extraordinary circumstances. .Mr Forbes, replying, paid the people should not be downhearted. He had'faith that er’t and oourage would overcome tfieir difficulties. • . - ■ >

Regarding the adjournment of the session, Mr Forbffc na'd the Government would make a careful study, during the interval of the situation. . U< emphasised the necessity of cutting down overhead costs. The Coalition Government wa 3 working; in perfect unison and recognised that New Zealanders’ interests should come fir-t. Mr Forbes said they were not pessimists. Thev beliwvei-in taking the people into tlieir confidence and stating the true position.