FREEDOM OF CITY FOR MR. SAVAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1937, Page 7

FREEDOM OF CITY FOR MR. SAVAGE.

ERROR AT CEREMONY.

Prime Minister Jokes in Luncheon Speech.

TRIBUTE BY LORD MAYOR. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON", June 14. A strange mistake was made by Sir Adrian Pollock, City Chamberlain, in describing Mr. M. J. Savage as Prime Minister of Canada at a Guildhall ceremony in which Mr. Savage and Mr. J. A. Lyons had the freedom of the City of London conferred upon them. Miss lslibel Mac Donald and Messrs. Malcolm Mac Donald, Mackenzie King, S. M. Bruce and W. J. Jordan were present. Both recipients were presented with a dainty gold casket containing a document recording the conferment. Mr. Savage alluded to the Coronation as a manifestation of the people's love of Their Majesties as well as an endorsement of the democratic form of government. He hoped that the Empire's commercial ties would be strengthened in the future, and added that London's greatness made him prouder to be its freeman.

New Zealand had introduced more humane legislation than any country and would be even more progressive in the future.

Guests at the Guildhall also included Mr. and Mrs. W. Nash, Sir James and Miss Parr, and the Australian AgentsGeneral.

A luncheon in the Egyptian room of the Mansion House followed. The Lord Mayor, Sir George Broadbridge, toasting the new freemen, declared that London •was delighted to honour men who had thrown self aside and devoted their lives to the service of a nation. It was due largely to the quality of such men that the Empire was so well governed.

Mr. Savage said that if Mr. Lyons and himself had made happier those countries and people who had sent them to London they would have done their dutv.

'•Whether I am Prime Minister." he said, "or just working for my living— Prin.c Ministers don't work for a living, they just take it when it comes—it makes no difference. I shall always be indebted to those associated with me and shall do my best to get even with them if they can only reach Xew Zealand and enter the Priuie Minister's office. My sole desire is to make British people understand."