George William Forbes (1869 - 1947)

Born 12 Mar 1869 in Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 17 May 1947 at age 78 in Cheviot, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Preceded by 8th Leader Thomas Wilford Preceeded by 12th Leader Michael Savage Preceeded by 21st Prime Minister Joseph Ward Preceeded by 13th Attorney-General William Stewart Jr Preceeded by 32nd Minister James Donald Preceeded by 17th Minister Joseph Ward Preceeded by 10th Minister Oswald Hawken Preceeded by 6th Minister Joseph Ward Preceeded by 22nd Minister Joseph Ngata

George Forbes 9th Leader of the Opposition of New Zealand 13 Aug 1925 – 4 Nov 1925 6 Dec 1935 – 2 Nov 1936 22nd Prime Minister of New Zealand May 28 1930 – Dec 6 1935 16th Attorney-General of New Zealand Jan 28 1933 - Dec 6 1935 33rd Minister of Customs of New Zealand 28 May 1930 - 22 Sep 1931 25th Minister of Finance of New Zealand 28 May 1930 - 22 Sep 1931 11th Minister of Agriculture of New Zealand 10 Dec 1928 - 28 May 1930 7th Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand 28 May 1930 - 6 Dec 1935 23rd Minister of Native Affairs of New Zealand 1 Nov 1934 - 6 Dec 1935

Succeeded by 10th Leader Harry Holland Succeeded by 13th Leader Adam Hamilton Succeeded by 23rd Prime Minister Michael Savage Succeeded by 17th Attorney-General Rex Mason Succeeded by 30th Minister William Stewart Jr Succeeded by 24th Minister William Stewart Jr Succeeded by 12th Minister Alfred Murdoch Succeeded by 8th Minister Michael Savage Succeeded by 24th Minister Michael Savage

Biography

George Forbes is Notable.

George William Forbes was Prime Minister of New Zealand 1930-1935. His life is well documented and the following is from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography:^[1]

George William Forbes was born in Lyttelton, New Zealand, on 12 March 1869, to Annie Adamson and her husband, Robert Forbes, a sailmaker. After attending Lyttelton School and Christchurch Boys' High School (1882–83), he worked for a Christchurch merchant and then in his father's store. Forbes was a good athlete, rower and footballer; as halfback he captained the Canterbury rugby team in 1892.

In November 1893 Forbes drew a 226-acre section in the first Cheviot estate ballot, and a small grazing run of 1,377 acres in the third. Family help and the advice of neighbours enabled him to become established. He was a foundation member of the Cheviot County Council, and prominent both in the Cheviot Settlers' Association and in the campaign for a railway extension to Cheviot. On 12 December 1898 Forbes married Emma Serena Gee at Cheviot. They had three children.

Forbes entered politics in 1902 when he stood unsuccessfully for Hurunui as an independent Liberal. As a Cheviot settler and champion of state leaseholding, he was appointed to the 1905 Royal Commission on Crown lands, thus gaining a wider reputation. In 1908 he was elected for Hurunui as a Liberal candidate. His enduring local popularity enabled him to hold the seat continuously until 1943.

This summary of his political career comes from Wikipedia:^[2] "Forbes first entered the House of Representatives in 1908 as a member of the Liberal Party, and when that party declined he became the leader of the newly created United Party in 1928. His rise to power as Prime Minister was unexpected, and some believed him unsuited to the post; it was his misfortune to hold office during the very worst period of the Great Depression. He nevertheless remained in power for five years. Forbes headed the United–Reform coalition Government that eventually became the modern National Party.

Often referred to as "Honest George", Forbes had a reputation for probity, rare debating skill, and impressive memory. His courteous and friendly attitude earned him the liking and respect of parliamentarians from all sides of the House. Throughout his time in national politics his Hurunui constituents held Forbes in high regard: even when Prime Minister he would roll up his sleeves and help load sheep from his farm on the railway wagons for market."

Forbes retained his parliamentary seat until 1943, when he retired after 35 years as a Member of Parliament. He declined the offer of the customary knighthood, and four years after his retirement he died at Crystal Brook, his farm near Cheviot.

The national memorial for Forbes, the George Forbes Memorial Library, forms part of Lincoln University near Christchurch.

Sources

1. ↑ https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3f9/forbes-george-william
2. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Forbes_(New_Zealand_politician)

Birth record:

• New Zealand BDM 1869/29699 Forbes, George William to Annie and Robert, Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Marriage record:

• New Zealand BDM 1898/4818 Emma Serena Gee to George William Forbes

Death record:

• New Zealand BDM 1947/22175 Forbes, George William aged 78Y

Grave record:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #142376400 George William Forbes, Homeview Cemetery, Cheviot, Hurunui District, Canterbury, New Zealand