THE PRIME MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 130, 26 February 1937, Page 12

THE PRIME MINISTER

Splendid Reception at

Oamaru

By telegraph—Press Associativa Oaniaru, February 25.

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, accompanied by the .Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, was accorded a splendid reception at Oamaru this afternoon when the Opera House was filled with supporters and friends. 'The mayor, Mr. M. F. E. Cooney, in giving Mr. Savage a very cordial welcome, offered his felicitations on their guest attaining the highest honour flie people could offer, which was a tribute to his integrity and devotion to duty. Whether they agreed with the Government or not, they had in the Prime Minister one whom everyone admired and esteemed for his honesty of purpose. Mr. J. Hodman, chairman of the Waitaki County Council, supported the mayor’s remarks on behalf of the country people, adding congratulations and good wishes on Mr. Savage attaining the position of Prime Minister.

In acknowledging the welcome, .Mr. Savage briefly traversed the legislation passed by the Government, saying they were not going to sacrifice the opportunity given them as a result of the confidence the people had placed in them at last election to make this country a comparative paradise. He had been given a wonderful reception in the South Island. All one had to do was to look at the crowds that came to see him to see what they meant, for they bad come to show their appreciation of what the Government bad set out to do and what they hoped to do. He did not claim everything was right—they were bound to make mistakes—but they had done things, too. Mr. Savage briefly referred to the Imperial Conference and the important matters to be discussed there. What he had said in New Zealand he would say at the conference even if he had to stand alone. One could not help being struck by the obvious sincerity of the people’s welcome, for which be thanked them.

Mr. Armstrong also addressed the gathering. The Prime Minister and Mr. Armstrong were entertained at dinner by the Oamaru Borough Council, and later at a complimentary social by the Oamaru branch of the Labour Party.