TO LEAD HOUSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1059, 25 August 1930, Page 8

TO LEAD HOUSE

HON. E. A. RANSOM CHOSEN MR. FORBES'S PORTFOLIOS THE SUX'S Parliament ary Itcparttr WELLINGTON, Today. The Prime Minister, the Hon. G. Vl' Forbes, announced last evening thai during his absence at the Imperial Conference, the Hon. E. A. Hanson; Minister of Lands and Deputy-Leaile-of the United Party, would be actingPrime Minister. Mr. Ransom soul,; also take over the portfolios of Financ, and External Affairs at present hel<i by Mr. Forbes and would act as Minister in charge of the Department o Scientific and Industrial Research. The portfolio of Customs, now helc by Mr. Forbes, will be taken over k? the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister pi Defence, and In the absence of Sir Thomas Sidey, Sir Apirana Ngat». Minister for Native Affairs, will act a-Attorney-General. CIVIC FAREWELL PARTY LEADERS’ SPEECHES Press Association WELLINGTON, Sunday. Political differences were forgotten in the face of the wider issues of th? Imperial Conference when the Prim? Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, wa s accorded a civic farewell at Welling ton last evening. Mr. Forbes ami Mrs. Forbes weie both the recipien t of presentations. In wishing Mr. Forbes success the Leader of the Reform Party, the Rt. Hou. J. G. Coates, said that at the las: Imperial Conference there emerged a declaration that each Dominion should have equal status, and that was something to be treated with the utmost respect and responsibility. The representative of New Zealand should be sent away feeling that he had a free hand, and with confidence that he, as a true citizen of the country irrespective of his domestic and political opinions, would truly represent the ideals of the vast majority of the people. Mr. Forbes took with him the good wishes and highest hopes from pakeha and Maori alike. , Mr. H. E. Holland. Leader of the Labour Party, said he hoped the name of the conference would be changed to the British Commonwealth of Nations’ Conference. When that came about the lofty ideal of peace would be advanced. Political differences could b« sunk in order that the interests of the people might be more widely considered. He wished the representatives well. ADDRESS PRESENTED The Mayor of WelHngton, Mr. G. A. Troup, said it was with relief and gratification the public learned that the party leaders were prepared to facilitate the business of Parliament in order that the Prime Minister could get away. He presented Mr. Forbes with an address enclosed in a carved Maori casket, and Mrs. Forbes with a rug. “Unity of Empire is the most important subject,” said Mr. Forbes “One needs very little imagination to see how fraught it is with great possibilities.” They wanted to encourage as much as possible trade between the parts of the Empire. When people grumbled about preference to Britain they should remember that New Zealand's own prosperity depended on Britain. _ . “I know that I can go and speak with one single voice,” said Mr. Forbes. “There is no difference ot opinion. I can go there feeling that New Zealand is one in thought in regard to what should be done in the Homeland, that its greatest desire is to maintain Its connection with tne Homeland and to do everything to assist in her progress and prosperity.