GREAT ENTHUSIASM

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 71, 25 March 1939, Page 14

GREAT ENTHUSIASM

MR. SAVAGE IN AUCKLAND

EMBRACED AND KISSED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, March 24,

Embarrassing evidence of his popularity in the shape of an unexpected embrace arid a resounding kiss from a woman who rushed out of the crowd was offered the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in the course of his travels in Auckland today. Mr. Savage had just left a factory when the incident occurred, and he was later reminded of the occurrence by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in a subsequent speech. Crowds assembled rapidly each time Mr. Savage's car was stopped outside one of the factories of which he was making an inspection. He was cheered repeatedly and must have shaken hundreds of hands in the course of the day. Free use of his Christian names failed to disturb him, and he responded gaily to repeated cries of "Good old Mick" and "You're looking well, Joe." Quite apart from the enthusiastic receptions given him by the staffs of the factories he visited, Mr. Savage had the utmost difficulty in entering or leaving his car. The crowds pressed round till it was almost impossible to open the doors and all seemed anxious to attract his attention. One small boy, quite unable to make his way through the crowd, climbed on his mother's shoulder, and called Mr. Savage's name till he was noticed. A handshake was his reward. Autograph books by the dozen made their appearance the majority being presented by children. Mr. Ravage signed them all and left the last'of the factories, as he had the others, amid cheers and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."