THE HON. G.W. FORBES

Southland Times, Issue 21095, 29 May 1930, Page 7

THE HON. G.W. FORBES

ATTENDANCE AT IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 28. With the agreement of Parliament, the Primo Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) will attend the forthcoming Imperial Conference as New Zealand’s representative. The Government has a fairly substantial legislative programme for submission to the House, but in view of its lack of a working majority, the risk of quick defeat is always present and however important Ills attendance at the councils, of the Empire, might be the Prime Minister could hardly leave the House in session with the knowledge that the first advice he received on reaching London might be that he was no longer in office. • Accordingly, it is authoratively learned that Mri Forbes, as soon as the coming session of Parliament opens, will seek an assurance from the Reform and Labour parties that no adverse motion against the administration will be carried if he makes the trip Home before the business for the session is disposed of. In support of this appeal, it is understood the Prime Minister will outline the main measures the Government proposes to introduce, and give top place on the order paper to the policy Bills over which there are likely to be difference of opinion so that these can be dealt with in the first two months of the session. To be in London in time for the conference, Mr Forbes would have to leave New Zealand by the end of August or the beginning of September at the latest, and if the House is agreeable to the course, it is suggested he will propose that the Hon. E. A. .Ransom, Deputy Leader of the Government, be left in charge for the remainder of the session. Apart from the Imperial aspect, those in close touch with Empire affairs consider there are many important reasons why New Zealand should be represented at this year’s conference and represented by its Prime Minister.

MAORI CONGRATULATIONS

MESSAGE TO PRIME MINISTER,

Wellington, May 28.

A further congraMatory message from the Native race has been received by the new Prime Minister, forwarded to the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata. It reads: “Please convey the congratulations of all Ngati Porou to our friend the Hon. G. W. Forbes on his accession to the Prime Ministership. It is our hope that he will assist in the matters relating to the Maori race.”

Mr Forbes replied as follows: “I thank you and all Ngati Porou for the message of congratulation conveyed to me through my friend and colleague Sir Apirana.Ngata. I have the most pleasant recollections of the kindness and hospitality of your people during my recent visit, and can assure you that the welfare of the Maori race will always receive my sympathetic regard.”