HUMAN SYMPATHY

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

HUMAN SYMPATHY

TRAITS OF CHARACTER FEW SPARE-TIME INTERESTS LOVE OF BOOKS AND MUSIC Heady human sympathy was the predominant chafacteristie in the personality of the late Prime .Minister, Mr. Savage. He was a man of comparatively few interests outside of polities —as he himself used to say, he did not have the time to develop other interests—hut, unlike many confirmed Socialists, lie never allowed his political views to embitter liiin. Below medium height, and somewhat stockily built, Mr. Savage had neither the physical attributes nor the mental (Iptiinism which are regarded as typical of the horn Australian. He was slow and deliberate! in his speech as in his manner of thinking, but this masked a keen sense of humour which ol Ten manifested itself in private conversa lion. Mr. Savage's Christian mime, Michael Joseph, had a true Hibernian flavour but, in spite of the. "Mick" or "Micky" which he frequently received from crowds, he was always known to his Iriemls and associates in Parliament Buildings as ".Joe." Life-long Bachelor Wedded as lie was to the affairs, of his party, Mr. Savage had more than his share of the turmoil of public lite. In consequence, he liked to live his private lile as quietly as possible and. as lie remained a bachelor, he had no great interest in the social side. His one great interest apart from polities was reading, but here. too. his serious mind chose chiefly works ol economics ai id political philosophy. Occasionally he would read a novel, and be had a real love of poetry. Another avenue through which Mr. Savage often sought relaxation was that of music. He was never an accomplished musician' himself, but he had a natural ear for good music and radio programmes of quality wore a constant source of delight to him. Among his somewhat unusual accomplishments was his ability as a step-dancer. At the end of the arduous 1 i>• 5G session of Parliament, when members were gathered in a convivial atmosphere helore departing for their homes, various prominent politicians were called on to contribute songs or stories. When Mr. Savage's turn cam-', lie had a space cleared and entertained the gathering with a vigorous step-dance. Acceptance of Tradition One of the most prominent traits in the Prime Minister's character was hia'dislike of the conspicuous. Some lin hour leaders, not only in New '/,(•:>- land, but elsewhere, have made a pose of detesting formalities. Mr. Savage would have none of that. He did not believe in ignoring or belittling- accepted customs and when he was in England at the time of the Coronation ceremonies ho accepted and wore the formal morning suit or the uniform of a Privy Councillor when occaI sion demanded. Mr. Savage took the average New Zealander's interest in all forms of outdoor sport, but from the point of view of active participation he was never able to spare the time to take up any game. In the last few years he developed a mild enthusiasm for racing, but in this sport he was interested as much in the colour and movement ol crowds as in the race itself. Allot tier pastime which he enjoyed was motoring. On most Sunday afternoons in Wellington he would drive out into i the country, accompanied hv two or three friends. Perhaps Mr. Savage's greatest entlui- ! siasm was provided h.v children. Like ! many a life-long bachelor, he was never happier than when he was in ! their company. Years before lie be- ! came Prime Minister, he used to make it an annual custom to visit i various orphanages and children's | homes at Christmas time and many i young Aucklanders can recall that their first meeting with the Prime i Minister was in the children's wards j at the Auckland Hospital.

HOME INFLUENCE A LONG FRIENDSHIP MR. SAVAGE'S COMPANIONS No record of Mr. Savage's life and work in New Zealand politics would no complete without some reference to <i friendship which lias stood the test of time ever since his arrival in New Zealand. This i> his friendship for Mr. and Mrs. A. ,1. French, formerly of Salisbury Pond. Heme Bay, who shared a household with him for over •''>() years. When Mr. Savage lirst came to Auckland in 1!>07, shortly after his arrival from Australia, he came to know Mr. and Mrs. French, and a lew months later ho went to live with them in their home in Paget Street. Ponsonhy. In fitL';! tliev shitted to No. 0 W'anganui Avenue, Poiisonby, and lour years later to a roomy old-fashioned house in Salisbury Street, a short street oil the seaward slopes oil' .lervois Bond. In that home, with an ample garden and a pleasant outlook through the trees over the Waiteinata. New Zealand's Labour loader and his two friends lived together as a single household. \\ lien Mr. Savage's party swept the polls at the elections it became necessary for him to reside permanently in Wellington, lie took over one of the Ministerial residences in a large double house in Molo<worlh Street, only two or three minutes' walk from his own ollice in Parliament Buildings, and then insisted that Mr. and Mrs. French should come from Auckland to share his home. Within the last lew months. Mr. Savage and his friends have boon living iu a new house at Northland. "One cannot live with people for all those years without a common bond being established." Mr. Savage said on that occasion. "I should feel lost, without the companionship of such friends.'' Mr. and Mrs. Froneh not only shared the Prime Minister's home with him iu Wellington, but thev also accompanied him on several of his brief tours iu the Dominion. Whenever Mr. Savage eamo to Auckland as Prime Minister lie invariably called on their married daughter, Mrs. D. C. Allrey, of Market ltoad, Fpsom. Although be was a bachelor, Mr. Savage was a man who loved homo life. Mr. French once described him as one of the most homely men it was possible to meet. Fven before ho attained -the highest, political ollieo iu the land, most of Mr. Savage's time was absorbed by Labour Parly activities. However, after that he would ask nothing better than to spend all his leisure in his own home. THE HUNTLY DISTRICT MINIMIS OF,ASK OPERATIONS [BY TKI.KO K A I'll —OWN COIUU'SPiVNOKNT] IIPXTLY, NYrilnrstlay A decision to cease work for the remainder ot the week as a mark ol respect to Mr. Savage was reached by minors in tl.io 11iintly district before going to work this morning. The following telegram was sent by the Mayor of lluntly to the lion. P. Fraser: "lluntly extends deepest sympathy to yourself and the Ciovernincnt in tlie death of our respected l'riino Minister."