PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED.

Everyone who listened to the reply of the neiv Prime Minister to the civic welcome given him in the Town Hall last evening must have been impressed by the warmth and sincerity of his utterance. Mr. Savage has a gift of friendliness, and knows how to speak simply and directly to the people. The civic reception was an occasion for the expression of good will, and Mr. Savage responded generously to the assurances from all sections of the community. As befitting a welcome to one who has been for so many years an Auckland citizen, Mr. Savage was offered more than the ordinary tribute of congratulation. His perseverance and his capacity to rise from obscurity, his straightforward character and his courage in public life are qualities which to the people of Auckland have a peculiar value, and appreciation of them was the dominant note in the tributes paid on this occasion. The Churches, the business' community, the social workers, the consular corps and representatives of the native race all fittingly assured Mr. Savage o£ their support and co-operation. These tributes, so well expressed, were fully acknowledged. To the Maoris a most pleasing feature must have been the Prime Minister's emphasis upon the need of furthering their welfare. To all sections of the people was given an assurance of the Government's desire to establish better conditions; "to build, not to destroy." Mr. Savage's remarks were entirely in keeping with the tone he adopted last week in. his appeal for the co-operation of the Public Service, and from both sides the purpose of last evening's gathering as an occasion for the expression of good will was fully achieved.