CARES OF OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 14

CARES OF OFFICE

A STRENUOUS TASK LEADERSHIP DIFFICULTIES MAINTENANCE OF UNITY When «i Prime Minister has been in ollice for a period less than live years, as was the lit. Hon. M. •!. Savage, an appraisement. of his stewardship is no easy matter. Politicians as a class have to accept not only the judgment of the people at short and stated intervals, but, in the long run, they have to accept tin 1 verdict of history. However, it is possible to give some analysis of the manner in which Mr. Savage took* up the task of government and discharged it during bis term ol office. It has been said, with perfect justification, that in Mr. Savage the Labour Party had by good lortune a leader lar better fitted than any other among its Parliamentary membership to make its programme acceptable to a public which had never before had a (ioverninent bearing a class label. He was able to win the respect and liking even of those to whom his political creed was anathema. People outside his own party looked on liini not as a doctrinaire Socialist or a believer ill tin 1 automatic efficacy of plans and theories, but rather as a sympathetic, friendly and moderate man who kept in touch with realities. Choice of First Cabinet Mr. Savage's first great difficulty on taking ollice probably arose from the numerical strength of his own parly in Parliament. Cabinet rank was naturally given to veteran Labour members within the House, but even then several aspirants for Ministerial portfolios were not .satisfied. In addition, the majority ol Labour members were new to Parliament, and inclined to be precipitate in their demands for speedy legislative action to implement Labour's election policy. In bis early days as Prime Minister, Mr. Savage succeeded admirably in keeping a fairly even political balance between his own supporters, but the very si/.e of the party and the complexity of interests involved made his task increasingly difficult. (Jovernment members iiu-iiuloc! money reformers even more ardent than Mr. Savage hiniscll, adherents ol the industrial group and representatives of farming constituencies who found it politically expedient to temper their views on matters ol Socialist policy. lu such a party it was no easytask to maintain unity, but it was a tribute to Mr. Savage s leadership that for three years, at any rate, any differences over policy matters rarely spread beyond the walls of the caucus room, fill's was probably his great gift as a loader. He himself propounded the doctrine of "onward and upward with the brakes oil," but at the same time it is certain that corners, hills and bumpy patches on the political road would have been taken much more recklessly had it not been for tlio restraining hand of the Prime Minister and his two principal lieutenants, the Hon. P. Fraser and the Hon. W. Nash.

Social Security Legislation Ore specific piece of important legislation with which .Mr. Savage's name will always he associated was the Social Security At t. From his early days in politics, In- had always insisted that it was possible to devise a communal scheme to safeguard 'II mom Iters of the community i'roin hardship arising; out of sickness, unemployment or old ago. Before the third session of liis first .Parliamentary term as Prime Minister. Mr. Savage played an important part in drafting the proposals which were later to become law. lie sat on a special select committee which heard evidence on tlie general outline which lie himself had provided, and at times his enthusiasm for an ideal revealed itself in impatience with financial criticism. Mr. Savage did not pilot the bill through Parliament. That task he ontrusted to Mr. Xash. whom he always found a tower of strength in matters of intricate detail and routine. Nevertheless, the whole structure of the legislation was such that, without Mr. Savage's driving force, the measure would probably not have boon enacted during Labour's first term of oflioo. Politically. Mr. Savage was an idealist, although he himself at times was apt to resent the term. The fact remains, however, that lie was constant in his idealism ;pid sincerely loyal in his devotion to his party. He believed honestly that in serving his party he was serving New Zealand. His work both as Labour leader and as Prime

Minister was entirely selfless, and through his personal qualities he has earned an abiding place in the memory of countless New Zoalandors.

PRESS EXTRACTS "MAN OF THE PEOPLE" INSPIRED BY HIGH MOTIVES Tributes to the work and personality of the late Prime Minister are paid by the press of the Dominion. Fx tracts from leading articles are given below. The Fvcuing Post. Wellington, savs: If was the human sympathy in Mr. Savage, the keen desire to do something for the loss fortunate, that urged him on in his effort to accomplish a great deal in a little while. It is the spirit of this legislation, we believe, and the benevolence of its intention that will be the late Prime Minister's enduring memorial, even although form anil framework may be altered, for that spirit was his personal contribution to the achievement. The Dominion, Wellington, says: There can he no quest ion as to the general respect, accorded Mr. Savage for his earnestness and .sincerity of purpose and his humanitarian ideals. J'hese attributes enriched an engaging personality, to the disarming qualifies of which is due the fciet that in the atmosphere of intense political criticism which invested his (Jovernmenl's legislative innovations lie was untouched by personal animosities. It can truly be said of him that ho served unselfishly and gave unsparingly of all he possessed in mind and body in the service to which he was so deeply devoted. The Otago Daily Times. Dunedin. says; The phrase, "A man of the people" holds no mere empty or platitudinous meaning when applied to Mr. Savage. Ho was "of the people" in the fullest sense of the eulogy. The liberalising of nil classes of pensions, the general improvement of working conditions for the majority of wage-earners, the tondoncv toward increased State responsibility for the people's welfare—all those wore matters very close to Jiis heart. Tlie F.voning Star, Dunedin, says: In his personal life Mr. Savage was a shining example of courage and integrity and jn the political arena no charge was over levelled against him of using his political position for any secondary ends. As a man inspired by the highest motives he will .always be remembered bv the people of NewZealand with affection and respect.