MR. SAVAGE SAILS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22688, 29 March 1937, Page 11

MR. SAVAGE SAILS

YOYAGE TO LONDON CHEERING CROWD AT WHARF SONGS BY LINER'S CREW FINAL SCENE AT WELLINGTON [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Sunday A memorable farewell was given the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, when he left by the Arawa on Saturday night to represent New Zealand at the King's Coronation and the Imperial Conference. It was estimated that close on •'3OOO persons were assembled on Glasgow Wharf when the ship sailed at 10.4-3 p.m.

Mr. Savage went aboard early and after seeing his cabin made his way to the boat deck, where he was joined by the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, and his colleagues of the Ministry. Also with him were several members of the Legislative Council, representatives of various trades unions, delegates to the Easter conference of the New Zealand Labour Party, and a host of others who had gone on board to wish Mr. Savage bon voyage. Other members of the official party were the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. G. C. Rodda, the permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department, Mr. C. A. Bcrendsen, and the chief private secretary to the Prime Minister and clerk of the Executive Council, Mr. C. A. Jeffery. They were accompanied by their wives. Goodwill of Thousands Just before sailing time the Prime Minister stepped to the rail and addressed the assembly on the wharf. " Although I am on board this ship," he said. "my heart is with you. I am looking forward to the time when I will be with you in Wellington again. 1 thank you for your presence here tonight. and it is an indication that one goes abroad with the goodwill of thousands of New Zealand citizens." At the bidding of the Minister of Railways, the Hon. P. G. Sullivan, who, with other Ministers was standing with Mr. Savage, the throng be- 1 low them sang. " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Men climbed a crane and handed Mr. Savage a red streamer, which the Prime Minister smilingly accepted. It parted, however, before his wt'll-wi.-her had regained the wharf. Meantime members of the Arawa s crew had gathered in force on the forecastle deck and, infected with the spirit of the occasion, they sang in concert to the i accompaniment of mouth organs. Roars ot Cheering Among the last to leave the ship were members of the Ministry, who conferred with the Prime Minister before warmly grasping his hand in farowell. Mr. Fraser, as Minister of Marine, had earlier taken the opportunity informally to inspect the crew's quarters. Three hoarse blasts of the Arawa's whistle brought roars of cheering from the thousands looking up at the liner. Mr. Savage raised his hand and for a moment there was silence. As the ship began to move slowly astern tho tumult of cheering broke out anew, Mr. Savage smiling his thanks.