RETURN TO THE HOUSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 305, 7 October 1939, Page 4

RETURN TO THE HOUSE

THE RT. HON. M. J. SAVAGE. * . A SPONTANEOUS WELCOME. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 6. A spontaneous welcome from all sides of the House of Representatives was accorded the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), who returned to his seat in the Chamber this evening, after an absence through illness or more than two moiiths. The House had just resumed when the proceedings were interrupted by a round of applause from both sides of the House as Mr Savage quietly walked in from the entrance near the Speaker’s chair and took his usual seat after shaking hands with his bench-mate the Hon. P. Fraser. Mr Fraser, in a brief welcome, said he spoke not only for the Government, but also for members of the Opposition (Hear, hear!) when he welcomed the Prime Minister hack to his seat. (Applause.) They all sincerely hoped that he would continue his present recovery and would soon be liis strong, robust self again. One of Mr Savage’s qualities which appealed to people of all shades of political opinion and in all walks of life was his selflessness, and his return to active political life would be welcomed by everyone. The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) joined in the expression of welcome and said he would like to say, on behalf of the Opposition, how pleased they all wore to see Mr Savage bade in his seat. They hoped he would enjoy a speedy convalescence and soon be restored to his own good self. “We have missed you,” he continued. (Laughter. “But we have managed to get on all ( right in your absence.” Mr Savage, who appeared somewhat thin after his illness, nevertheless showed no signs of stress or weakness when making his reply to the congratulations. He was received with a round of applause when rising to reply. He said he felt under an obligation to everyone on both sides of the House and, in fact, to everyone in the country for their expressions of sympathy and their prayers for his recovery. He had never received so many communications in his life, lie said, and running through them all was the same strong religious tenor. It made him realise the other person’s point of view. It had been a new experience to him, he said, and he hoped that everyone within reach of his voice would accept his heartfelt thanks for their sympathy and prayers. On the conclusion of his speech members from both parties gathered round his chair in an over-changing group to congratulate Mr Savage on his return.