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.

Often referred to as "Honest George", Forbes had a reputation for probity, rare debating skill, and impressive memory.

Throughout his time in national politics his Hurunui constituents held Forbes in high regard: even duirng his tenure as Prime Minister he would roll up his sleeves and help load sheep from his farm on the railway wagons for market.

Walter Nash was also recorded at the same time paying tribute to the fact that Forbes was a great reader, noting that he had read more biographies and knew more about the political history of New Zealand and Britain than most.

By the spring of 1930, Ward could no longer carry out his duties, leaving Forbes as acting prime minister in all but name.

In May 1930, Ward finally gave his official resignation, and Forbes succeeded him as United Party leader and prime minister.

Defunct As Prime Minister, Forbes, was once described by William Downie Stewart Jr as "apathetic and fatalistic", reacted to events but showed little vision or purpose.

However, the Great Depression proved a difficult time for many governments around the world, and his defenders claim that he did the best job possible in the circumstances of the economic crisis.

Reports of his performance in Britain were positive and Stamfordham wrote to Bledisloe shortly after, telling him, "I should say that among all the Dominion Prime Ministers of the 1930 Imperial Conference, Forbes will be remembered with feelings of appreciation and respect.

During this time of fiscal restraint by his government, a story was leaked that Forbes indulged in the personal luxury of going to the movie theatre twice a week.

[22] However, sources of disinformation about Forbes appear to have occasionally arisen from the office of Gordon Coates and, coincidentally, a story about going to the pictures twice a week was first reported in parliament on 27 September 1932, when Labour member Robert Semple questioned Forbes about an interview given by Gordon Coates to the San Francisco Chronicle.

It was Coates who had reportedly told the newspaper that New Zealand city-bred folk were heading to the countryside, where they were provided with houses and taken to the pictures twice a week.

[23] In late 1931, Forbes called for a "grand coalition" of United, Reform, and Labour to resolve the country's economic problems.

Labour refused to join this coalition, but ex-Prime Minister Coates (prompted by the Reform Party's finance spokesperson, William Downie Stewart Jr) eventually agreed.

[4] Both Forbes and Coates, however, increasingly took the blame for the country's ongoing economic problems, and could not avoid the growing public dissatisfaction.

These included a devaluation of the currency to improve export prices, giving mortgage relief for farmers and the creation of the Reserve Bank.

[24] Later, in December 1932 and prior to Coates becoming Minister of Finance, Forbes introduced the Reserve Bank Bill to the House.

[26] Despite Coates’ increased influence in government, Bledisloe’s view of him as contained in his continuing written reports to the King did not improve.

In 1932 Bledisloe wrote that Coates was, “thoroughly unstable, insensitive to criticism, imprudently outspoken in public and (I regret to say), disloyal to his colleagues”.

[4] Forbes was noted for his gracious and sporting concession speech delivered to the country over the radio on the night of the 1935 election.

[31] By 1935 Forbes had become increasingly weary of politics, writing that he agreed with Stewart's description of the profession as "slavery that is miscalled power".

[39] He declined the offer of the customary knighthood, and four years after his retirement he died at Crystal Brook,[40] his farm near Cheviot.

Following his death, the Prime Minister, Peter Fraser, told the House that as a young member, he had "never met any one more kindly or more helpful, or who would give sounder or more friendly advice" than Forbes and, in ending his tribute, Fraser also stated his appreciation of Forbes, "most of all, as a man of sterling character and integrity and as a good friend.