IRREPLACEABLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1940, Page 9

IRREPLACEABLE.

SINCERE AND HONEST.

LOVED HOSPITAL WORK. "NEVER ANOTHER SIR. SAVAGE" "I do not think we will ever know another Mr. Savage," said Mrs. M. M. Dreaver, a Labour party representative on the Auckland Hospital Board. Mrs. Dreaver has known Mr. Savage for over a quarter of a century, and said that he was respected by all classes of the community because of his principles.

"He gave to Labour a dignity that others could not give," she said. "Hi;, sincerity and honesty did not extend only to his public life. It was always evident in his social work. Particularly was this noticeable in his work on the Auckland Hospital Board, of which he was a member for many years. "I have been jn his home at Heme Bay when lie has been visited by people from all over Auckland," she said. "He took an interest in their problems and always lent a helping hand. When he was asked why his visitors did not take their troubles to the members for their respective districts, Mr. Savage replied, 'They feel they want to see me, and therefore I give my time to them.* He loved his Hospital Board work, and would often say that other people could not help them in their mundane affairs. He liked to give attention to matters that were urgent."

Mrs. Drearer recounted an incident which happened some years ago when she had approached Mr. Savage on behalf of a tenant who had been threatened with ejection. The only question which Mr. Savage asked was how much rent was owing and when informed that the ii mount was £5 he said, "I will send you the money in the morning." This he did. At that time Mr. Savage was the only Labour representative on the Hospital Board.

In his. home Mr. Savage was approachable by anyone, continued Mrs. Dreaver. He would never turn anybody away from bis door. So great became his work with the people that he was unable to do all his correspondence by hand and he bought a typewriter and taught himself to use it. For a long time he typed with one hand only. He continued to use his typewriter right up to the time that he became Prime Minister. Up till his illness, indeed till the very last, he was careful to see that his correspondence was answered. People got into the habit of writing to him and he would never disappoint them by leaving their letters unanswered.

"There was an absolute love of Mr. Savage by the people," added Mrs. Dreaver. "A Maori woman once said to me, 'He is the most Christ-like man I have ever known.'"