MR. SAVAGE’S TOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1937, Page 4

MR. SAVAGE’S TOUR

OAMARU’S WELCOME

[FEB PPESS ASSOCIATION.]

OAMARU, February 25.

The Prime Minister (Mr Savage), accompanied by the Minister for Labour (Mr Armstrong), was accorded a splendid reception at Oamaru •this afternon, 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, congratulated him on attaining the highest honour the people could offer him, 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. Rodman, 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’s attaining the position of Prime Minister.

In acknowledging the welcome, Mr Savage briefly traversed the legislation passed by the Government, saying that they were not going to sacrifice the opportunity given them, as a result of the confidence the people had placed in them at the 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 had come to show their appreciation of what the Government had’ set out to do. and what they hoped to do. He did not claim that everything wa? right. They were bound to make mistakes, but they had done things, too. •Mr Savage briefly referred to the Imperial Conference and important matters to be discussed there. What he had said in New Zealand he would say -Jt the conference, ••ven if he had to stand alone. One could not help being struck by the obvious sincerity of the people’s welcome, for which he thanked them.

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