George William Forbes
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George William Forbes (12 March 1869 - 17 May, 1947) was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. His rise to power as Prime Minister was unexpected, and some believed him unsuitable, but he nevertheless remained in that office for five years. Often referred to as "Honest George", Forbes was well known for his 'rare debating skill' and impressive memory, and his courteous and friendly attitude earned him the liking and respect of colleagues from all sides of the House. Throughout his time in politics Forbes was well regarded by his Hurunui constituents and, even when Prime Minister, was known to roll-up his sleeves and help load sheep from his farm on the rail carts for market. He was in power through the worst years of the Great Depression, and was leader of the coalition government that eventually became the modern National Party.
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Early life
Forbes was born in Lyttelton, just outside the city of Christchurch. He was educated at Christchurch Boys High School in Christchurch, although did not attend university. He was noted for his ability at sport, particularly in athletics, rowing, and rugby where he captained the Canterbury team. After finishing school, he briefly worked in his father's ships' chandlery business in Lyttelton, but later established himself as a successful farmer near Cheviot, to the north of Christchurch. He quickly became active in the local politics of the region, particularly with regard to the Cheviot County Council and the Cheviot Settlers' Association.
Entry to parliament
In the elections of 1902, Forbes made his first attempt to enter national politics, standing for the Hurunui electorate. He stood as an independent, having failed to gain the Liberal Party nomination. He was not elected. In the 1908 elections, however, he was made the Liberal Party's official Hurunui candidate, and was successful. He was to hold this seat for thirty-five years.
Forbes remained a backbencher for some time, but was made the Liberal Party's Whip when party leader Thomas MacKenzie became Prime Minister. He retained this position when his party went into Opposition. However, his status within the party was considerably higher than his official responsibilities indicated, although few thought of him as a potential leader.
By the early 1920s, the Liberal Party was facing a decision as to its political future. The Reform Party government of William Massey was dominant, having secured the conservative vote, but Liberal's progressive voter base was being undermined by the growing Labour Party. Many members of the Liberal Party believed that an alliance with Reform was inevitable, saying that it was necessary to counteract the "radicalism" of the Labour Party. When Massey died in 1925, Liberal leader Thomas Mason Wilford decided to approach Massey's successor with a merger proposal, suggesting that the new party could be called "the National Party". Forbes was chosen to represent the Liberal Party at a joint conference. The new Reform Party leader, Gordon Coates, rejected the proposal, although Wilford declared that Liberal would adopt the name "National" regardless.
Party leader
Shortly after the merger proposal was rejected, Wilford resigned as leader, and Forbes was unexpectedly elected party leader. In the election later that year, however, the party collapsed, gaining only eleven seats compared with Reform's fifty-five. To further compound the injury, Forbes was no longer even Leader of the Opposition - the Labour Party had won twelve seats, enabling its leader Harry Holland to claim seniority in Opposition.
The party's poor fortune did not last long, however. In 1927, Liberal Party politician William Andrew Veitch secured an alliance with Albert Ernest Davy, a former Reform Party organizer who had become dissatisfied with Reform's alleged paternalism and intrusive governance. The former Liberal Party (still known as National) absorbed Davy's new United New Zealand Political Organization, and adopted the name "the United Party". Forbes and Veitch were both candidates for the leadership of the United Party, but the position was eventually won by a former Liberal Party Prime Minister, Joseph Ward. Forbes became one of two deputy leaders, having particular responsibility for the South Island.
Under the United banner, bolstered by Reform Party dissidents, the remnants of the old Liberal Party once again gained traction. In the 1928 elections, United formed a government with backing from the Labour Party. Forbes was given responsibility for lands and agriculture. Gradually, however, Ward's health declined to the state where he was unable to carry out his duties, and Forbes became leader in all but name. In 1930, Ward finally gave his official resignation, and Forbes became Prime Minister. He also made himself Minister of Finance.
Prime Minister
As Prime Minister, Forbes was described as "apathetic and fatalistic", reacting to events but having little vision or purpose. He was also criticised for relying too much on the advice of his friends. However, the depression years were difficult years for many governments around the world and his defenders claim that he was doing the best job possible in the adverse circumstances of the Great Depression.
The Forbes government began to show signs of instability when the Labour Party withdrew its support. Labour was unhappy at a number of economic measures - Forbes intended them to reduce government deficit and stimulate the economy, but Labour claimed that they unnecessarily harmed the interests of poorer citizens. Forbes was forced to continue with reluctant support from the Reform Party, which now feared Labour's growing popularity.
In late 1931, Forbes called for a "grand coalition" of United, Reform, and Labour to resolve the country's economic problems. Forbes told a joint conference that he was not prepared to implement the measures he deemed necessary without broad backing. Labour refused to join this coalition, but Reform leader Gordon Coates (prompted by the party's finance spokesperson, William Downie Stewart) eventually agreed.
In the 1931 elections, the United-Reform coalition performed well, winning a combined total of fifty-one seats. Forbes remained Prime Minister, but surrendered the finance role to William Downie Stewart. Slowly, however, many people came to believe that Coates held significantly too much power, and that Forbes was too willing to give in to Coates' demands. This view was reinforced when Coates and Stewart argued over financial policy - although Forbes was known to prefer Stewart's policy, he publicly sided with Coates, and Stewart resigned.
Coates replaced Stewart as Minister of Finance, and became even more dominant in the coalition. Stewart, noting this, complained that "the Prime Minister is too passive and the Minister of Finance is too active". Both Forbes and Coates, however, were increasingly being blamed for the country's ongoing economic problems, and were unable to avoid public dissatisfaction. In the elections of 1935, the coalition government was defeated by the Labour Party, which gained fifty-five votes to the coalition's nineteen.
Retirement
By 1935 Forbes had become increasingly weary of politics, writing that he agreed with Downie Stewart's description of the profession as "slavery that is miscalled power". Nevertheless, Forbes reluctantly allowed himself to be elected Leader of the Opposition, and from May 1936 led the new National Party (created out of United and Reform) until October 1936 when Adam Hamilton became the party leader. Forbes's time as leader of the new National Party was only intended to be a temporary measure, partly because he had indicated his desire to withdraw from the limelight and partly because some now saw him as a liability. Forbes retained his parliamentary seat until 1943, when he retired after 35 years as a member of parliament. Four years later he died at Crystal Brook, his farm near Cheviot.
External links
- Prime Minister's Office biography (http://www.primeminister.govt.nz/oldpms/1930-31forbes.html)
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (http://www.dnzb.govt.nz) (search for "Forbes, George William")