CONQUERING HERO

Evening Star, Issue 22202, 3 December 1935, Page 8

CONQUERING HERO

MR SAVAGE AT WELLINGTON REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATIONS AT STATION [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 2. Scenes of extraordinary enthusiasm marked the arrival at Wellington this morning of Mr M. J. Savage, the Labour Prime Minister designate. A crowd that must have numbered fully 3,000 let its voice go as he stepped off the limited express and paid a tremendous tribute to the man, to his achievement, and to what he represented. It was the climax to a series of receptions accorded to Mr Savage at stations on the journey from Auckland, and it was obvious that he was a little overwhelmed by the force and earnestness of it. After a brief address to the crowd in the station yard, Mr Savage left for Parliament Buildings, where he was greeted by another gathering that awaited his arrival outside the Bowen street entrance. In his remarks at the station, Mr Savage gave his assurance that New Zealand would have nothing to fear from Labour, ■ and promised that freedom would be real freedom under the Labour Government. JAM OF HUMANITY. The crowd started to cheer before the engine bad come to a standstill, and when it stopped and Mr Savage apE eared on the platform, waving his and and smilingly acknowledging the reception, there was a concerted press towards him, and in the vicinity of his carriage the congestion became acute. Indeed, for a space there was an uncomfortable jam of humanity, all anxious to get a glimpse of the man they had come to welcome. There was no delay on the platform, and as Mr Savage made his way past a battery of cameramen, perched precariously above the crowd, the congestion was relieved, In the station yard the crowd pressed round to hear the few words the next Prime Minister had to say. Only those in the vicinity were able to hear him, but their occasional note of approval was caught by those on the outside and amplified into a hearty salvo of cheering. MUSICAL HONOURS. In addition to the gathering in the station yard the rooftops of the buildings in the vicinity were lined with people, and they took up the refrain of ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow, as Mr Savage finished what he had to say. Escorted by a company of old and new members of Parliament and officials of the Labour Party, some of whom had come from the South Island to meet him, Mr Savage made for his car. Men and women surged forward to shake his hand, and a bouquet of red flowers was pressed into his arms. Hatless and flushed, and Still smiling he thrust his hands out of either window of the car and waved his answer to the burst of cheering that greeted his slow passage through the lanes of people. Policemen walking ahead had to clear a path until he was out of the yard, and eager hands grasped ' his as he passed. OFFICIAL CALLS. Soon after his arrival in Wellington Mr Savage received a call from a representative of Government House. He was invited to wait on His Excellency. Viscount Galway, at 11 o’clock. The Prime Minister-elect left the buildings in a Governemnt car shortly before 11 and returned about mid-day. On reaching the buildings he proceeded at once to the office of the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, and he and Mr Forbes had a friendly discussion of the position arising out of the general election. Subsequently Mr Savage received representatives of the Press in his room in the old library wing. CABINET CONSTRUCTION. Mr Savage said that he would be quite ready on Thursday next to announce the members of the Labour Ministry. “We shall be ready for action then,” he declared. “ The Government will resign on Wednesday, and we shall take over the reins of office on the following day,’’ There would be a full meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party at 10.30 o’clock to-morrow morning, Mr Savage said, and at this there would be a free discussion of the immediate political outlook. It was not anticipated that the meeting would be particularly long. One of the points that would have to bo decided was when Parliament would be first called together. His view was that it would not necessary for Parliament to meet before Christmas. CONCESSIONS TO UNEMPLOYED. The only reason for a pre-Christmas session would bo to take immediate steps to provide for the unemployed over the Christmas season, but it was bis belief that the Government had sufficient power to do this by regulation, “That will be a start for the unemployed, at any rate,’’ he said, “ and the major problems will be faced next year.’’ Mr Savage added it was likely that the House would be called together early in February, although it might not "be found necessary to sit right on at that stage. It was possible Parliament would be adjourned over a short period. SALES TAX AND EXCHANGE. Questioned regarding his previous statement that the sales tax would be abolished, Mr Savage said there would be no sudden abolition of the tax, but instead a gradual reduction. The tax would be reduced in much the same way as the exchange rate would be reduced. “ We do not intend to do anything that will shock the community,” said Mr Savage, “ or do anything that will give the speculator a chance. We are not going to help the speculator, whoever he might be. We are going to build, not destroy.” B CLASS STATIONS. Asked if he could elaborate his policy in regard' to the B class broadcasting stations, Mr Savage said that all he could say at the moment was that they would be allowed to live and that the alternative programmes would be maintained. “ Does that mean that the B stations will be given the right to advertise?” Mr Savage was asked. He replied that the B stations would either have to have some form of revenue or receive a subsidy. They could not be allowed to die for lack of money. SOUTHERN MEMBERS CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. Two hundred supporters of the Labour Party, many of them wearing red roses, carnations, and ribbons, cheered lustily and sang “ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” and threw their hats in the air as the express from the south left the Christchurch station for Lyttelton this evening.. On board the train continuing their trium-

pliant journey through the South Island were - 12 Labour members of Parliament and one member of the Legislative Council on their way to attend the first caucus of Labour members since the party’s election to office,