PRIME MINISTER BETTER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22492, 29 August 1938, Page 12

PRIME MINISTER BETTER

RETURN TO WELLINGTON

TO-DAY

“APPRECIATION OF MANY

KINDNESSES”

[press association telegram.)

AUCKLAND, August 28

Obviously much better in health through his rest and treatment in Auckland, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) was able to attend the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday. Mr Savage received a warm welcome and saw two races run, one from the members’ stand and the other from the public stand. Mr Savage rested to-day at the Hotel Cargen and received visits from several friends. He will return to Wellington by to-morrow afternoon’s express.

“I am leaving Auckland feeling better in every way than I have felt for years,” said the Prime Minister, “Moreover, my medical adviser assures me that with careful attention to diet and reasonable exercise I can look.for ward to good health and activity. It is difficult to express adequately my heartfelt appreciation of the many kindnesses that have been shown to me, not only in Auckland but by all classes of people throughout New Zealand. If health were not theygreatest of all possessions one might say it is worth while being indisposed now and again to learn that kindness is the best of tonics.

“During my temporary indisposition and the succeeding week of convalescence at the Hotel Cargen everyone did everything possible to help me carry out the doctor’s orders. My colleagues in the Government arid the Labour Party, and my friends on the Opposition benches also, have expressed their goodwill in taking over my tasks in Parliament on the one hand, and in conveying their sympathy on the other. One can only cherish for the rest of one’s days such kindly consideration. Medical Attention “Naturally I would have liked to visit North Auckland and meet the people who had prepared to wel--come me on a goodwill tour of that pleasant land; but I must now return to Wellington and take over my share of the extra work which has been done so well by the DeputyLeader of the House, the Hon. Peter Fraser, and my other colleagues.

“May I be permitted to say, too, that the attention given me in Auckland has been beyond the ordinary limits of praise. The expert service of my medical adviser, Dr. Giinson, and the results of his treatment, have been such as to convince me more firmly than ever that what is good enough for me should be made available to everybody as far as it is humanly possible to make it. The Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, showed more than personal interest and demonstrated every day the warm-hearted feelings and generosity of the citizens. I can only hope that the press, which also has been considerate both in its columns and through its representatives, will give me a generous opportunity to thank the numerous people all over the Dominion who were so kind to me. I shall do my best to prove worthy of their goodwill and great encouragement.”

MR SAVAGE’S “FAN

MAIL”

MANY LETTERS DURING INDISPOSITION

(press association telegram.)

AUCKLAND, August 27,

“The Prime Minister now has virtually a ‘fan mail’ and his staff is kept busy sending out replies to letters that have been received at the rate' of 150 a day since his indisposition,” said a member of Mr Savage’s staff to-day. “The number of letters, telegrams, and gifts of flowers and fruit can be described only as a national demonstration of the kindness of the people,” he added.

Political differences were dropped when a call was made on Mr Savage yesterday by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who had arrived from the south by train in the morning. After spending some time with Mr Savage, Mr Coates remarked; “Joe is looking remarkably well.”

A case of fruit, comprising samples from various sources of supply in the islands, has been sent to the Prime Minister. Flowers sent him include many fine spring blooms and a bunch of golden Australian wattle.