Government
The 23rd New Zealand Parliament continued with the coalition of the United Party and the Labour Party with the Reform Party in opposition. During the year the agreement between United and Labour collapsed due to differing opinions on how to counter the Great Depression. The Reform Party, fearing that the Depression would give Labour a substantial boost, reluctantly agreed to form a coalition with United to avert elections. By forming a coalition, United and Reform were able to blunt Labour's advantage, ending the possibility of the anti-Labour vote being split and the general election in December saw the United/Reform coalition winning a majority.
- Speaker of the House - Charles Statham (Independent)
- Prime Minister - George William Forbes
- Minister of Finance - George William Forbes (United) until 22 September, then William Downie Stewart (Reform)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs - George William Forbes
- Attor - Thomas Sidey until 22 September, then William Downie Stewart
Read more about this topic: 1931 In New Zealand, Incumbents
Famous quotes containing the word government:
“Whatever it is that the government does, sensible Americans would prefer that the government do it to somebody else. This is the idea behind foreign policy.”
—P.J. (Patrick Jake)
“I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government rather than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“What is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?”
—James Madison (1751–1836)