PRIME MINISTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 10

PRIME MINISTER

MR. SAVAGE'S HEALTH RUMOURS CONTRADICTED EFFECTS OF A CHILL Persistent rumours said to be in circulation recording the health of the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, who celebrates his GSth birthday to-day, aro contradicted by the Labour paper, tho Standard, which interviewed him last Monday.

According to the Standard, the rumours alleged that Mr. Savage was not only seriously ill, but was even again in a sick bed in hospital. When interviewed lie was laughing over a letter which had been posted to him at a hospital address.

"Mr. Savage is not only very fit and looking very fit," the article continues, "but is in daily consultation with his .Ministers. Moreover, ho gives attention to departmental reports, and within the past week lias prepared very lengthy reports upon tho Government's activities for presentation to the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party at Easter. "Ho remarked that he was feeling better than ho had felt for several weeks. Discussing his present temporary indisposition, ho said he had caught a chill at the Government reception to the Papal Legato, Archbishop Panieo, at the beginning of last month. The Papal Legato noticed that ho was sitting in a draught and advised him to change his seat, which he did.

"Mr. Savage showed that lie was thoroughly at grips with the main problems which face the Government, and during the interview a messenger from Parliament Buildings arrived with important papers for his consideration. He is most anxious to resume full participation in the work of the Government by attendance at Cabinet meetings, but in this matter must bo guided by his medical adviser, who has urged him to ease up for a while at least."