PRIME MINISTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22378, 26 March 1936, Page 13

PRIME MINISTER

WELLINGTON TRIBUTE TOWN HALL CROWDED " RESPONSIBILITY REALISED " [DY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Wednesday The Wellington Town Hall was packed to-night by an enthusiastic public on the occasion of a civic welcome to the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, presided and others present included Cabinet Ministers, members of the Judiciary and representatives of local bodies.

As one who took some part in the struggle Mr. Hislop paid a tribute to Mr. Savage's high standard of conduct during the election campaign and the merit of his victory was enhanced by the • method of its achievement. Tonight they were not concerned with the various schools of political thought. They met as fellow citizens anxious to give personal greeting to the occupant of the highest office under the Crown in the State. "With a true appreciation of the nobility of his ideals, of the purity of his motives, of strength of his convictions and of his personal integrity," the Mayor concluded, "it is an honour on behalf of the citizens of Wellington to welcome him here to-night." Goodwill of People Prolonged applause greeted the Prime Minister when he rose to speak. Ho thanked the Mayor for the kindly references to himself and the principles for which he stood.

"There is no one here to-night who realises more than I the responsibility 1 carry in common with my colleagues," said Mr. Savage. "1 don't think it is egotistical to say that no Government in the history of this country ever enjoyed a greater, measure of goodwill from the people than the present Government does. We realise the size of the job, but after all the problems are only human. They were made by men and women and can be solved by men and women. "During the last three or four days people had been told the Government was out to destroy things and that because of the action of the Labour Government capital was leaving the country. We are told that the share market is weakening because of the Labour Government, but, curiously enough, it is weakening in Australia, too, so we are not only frightening New Zealand, but we are frightening Australia as well. That is a record of which we are at least entitled to be proud. "I want to repeat again that that statement, coming, as it does, from the 'Kelly Gang' of New Zealanch, is not going to turn our head. When it comes to fight we are ready to fight, but we will never surrender. We in-.New Zealand to-day have a greater opportunity than any other Labour Government ever lived. We have the overwhelming confidence of the people of this country. Living up to Traditions

"Before three years or so we who constitute the first Labour Government in New Zealand expect to be able to prove that we are capable of living up to the highest traditions of our race and that we are capable of serving to the full."

Mr. Savage predicted the time was near when men or women, or bpth, representing the British Commonwealth of Nations would meet on common ground to discuss and to solve common problems. Unless they had a common purpose, going consciously forward for its realisation, they would be muddling along as they had been doing for years now waiting for something to turn up. " However, we have some responsibility in the matter as a Government," he continued. "We are not going to shirk any of it. We want to go along thp road with you. We can understand impatience on your part, but never forget that the general election was only held on November 27. We have been shaping our course since then."

The Prime Minister concluded by saying that if he lived for ever he would never forget the courtesies extended to him by people of all shades of political opinion. " I want to say finally," hp added, " that in the days to come we are going to do things all right, but I don't want anyone to get excited. There is no need to get excited at all. Every move that will be made will be made after due consideration and with the object of serving you. It will be made with the idea of going forward and upward with the brakes off."