PREMIER’S ILLNESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 102, 31 March 1925, Page 5

PREMIER’S ILLNESS

THE LATEST BULLETIN. FAIRLY COMFORTABLE NIGHT. STRENGTH WELL MAINTAINED. Pei Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 31. Tho following official bulletin was issued at noon to-day: “The Prime Minister passed a fairly comfortable night and his strength is well maintained.” WELLINGTON, March 30. Ever since the close of the session the Prime Minister has been in a somewhat indifferent state of health, suffering from a painful illness, stated to be sciatica. For some time ho was under treatment at Rotorua, and after his return to Wellington, particularly since the New Year, it seemod that he was making steady, if slow progress towards recovery. At the beginning of tho last week this progress was reported to bo continuing, but later in the week a turn for worse took place. , Dr Garrick Robertson, of Auckland, was called into consultation and an operation was decided on as necessary. This was successfully performed by Dr Garrick Robertson at a private hospital this morning, and Uio bulletin already telegraphed, stating that the patient bore the operation well, was afterwards issued from the Prime Minister’s office. Tho news that tho Prime Minister was to be operated upon came as a great surprise to his colleagues in the Cabinet and to everybody concerned. REGRET AT MR MASSEY’S ILLNESS. There were many expressions of regret in Palmerston North yesterday when the unexpected nows was received that it had been necessary for the Prime Minister to undergo an operation. It had been expected that he would at an early date again take up his official duties as during the present month he was twice able to make his appearance in public in Wellington. lie visited and inspected the Aorangi when she arrived at Wellington on her maiden voyage, and in conversation with his friends and. Press representatives spoke quite cheerfully about his health. He called on his friend, Lord Mac) ay, with whom he had personal association in the provision of shipping during the war years. On that occasion Mr Massey joked freelv with his colleagues, who looked forward with grc;at interest to his being among them again. Ilis latest appearance was on the occasion of the Government luncheon to the All Blacks, on their return to New Zealand less than a fortnignt ago. On that occasion he seemed to those that had been in touch with him since lie left oft mu officiul duties to have shown improvement, although those who had not seen him sinco the Parliamentary session remarked that his appearance caused them anxiety. Mr Massey told the guests at the luncheon that lie fully expected to be back in Parlioment when the next session opened, liio announcement caused great enthusiasm. From 1 o’clock yesterday onwards telegrams were received in , Wellington from all parts of the Dominion expressing deep sympathy with Mr Massey and the earnest hope that he would make a speedy recovery. ' At a meeting in Wellington oi the Pioneer Lodge No. 11. at which a large number of members of the Star of Wellington Lodge No. 12 1.0.G.T. were present, a resolution was passed as follows. “That this meeting of Good Templars tenders its sympathy to the Prime Minister in his time of illness, and to members ot his family, and sincerely trusts that Mr Massey will speedily recover his wanted health and strength and be again able to take control of tlife country s affairs. it was explained that while the Good Templar Order was non-political, members recognised the great work so well and faithfully done by the Prime Mimster, and desired to show their appreciation and tender their sympathy, _____