HUSH OF HONOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23619, 1 April 1940, Page 11

HUSH OF HONOUR

SPIRIT AMONG CROWD PROFOUND RESPECT HIGH CIVIC- DIGNITY The spirit of the crowds -which congregated in very large numbers in the vicinity of the railway station, .at Bastion Point and on Mount Hobson and lined the whole length of the long route, sometimes thinly and sometimes five or six deep, was one of respect to the departed Prime Minister and of high civic dignity. Not once in the course of a tour which touched the crowd at many points did one hear,.a single reference to things political. The predominant note was that of personal regard and the desire to honour the memory of Mr. Savage on-the highest possible plane. Thus the people of the city did honour io themselves. Little Visible Emotion / Here and there emotion was expressed by moist eyes, particularly when the exquisite music of ''The Dead March" rose and fell, and also when the hymn "Abide With Me" was being sung; by the crowd after the burial service. For the most part, however, there was control of any emotional tendency. '3ji : The quiet in Customs and Queen Streets when the people were awaiting the cortege was remarkable. -The 'cry of a baby could be heard a block away and the footsteps of men walking beneath verandahs on the comparatively empty pavements had a strangely loud and hollow sort of sound. Heads Bared Everywhere men removed their hats when in the vicinity of the flag-draped burden of the gun carriage, a burden that suggested lonely distinction. Many thousands gathered in Anzao Avenue and other commanding points above the station, but heads were bared in spite o:i the distance. At one point a portable radio set through which a considerable number heard the indoor station scene described, helped to give a close sense of participation. These people heard themselves referred,to by the distant announcer, but somehow they retained the impersonal attitude.. , No one seemed to dream of saying, "He is talking about us," a remark that •would have been inevitable had the experience fallen, say., on Achilles Day. Many were obviously physically . weary * through waiting «and - numbers rested on steps of buildings, but there was no more complaint about tiredness than a sigli. Some people,, anticipating groat congestion, not realising how the length of the route would spread out the crowd, took up positions hours before the cortege-was due and in consequence suffered fatigue, Colour in the Crowd Along Orakei ."Road almost everyone who waited sat-or lay on the grassy road banks and here in the bright sunshine the scene was quite colourful. , ?so longer do the people on such occasions shun bright garments. At Bastion Point one saw young women garbed in extremely sporty attire. Here and there were young men. evidently from small harbour craft that had gathered below, without shoeii —dressed actually as they nhvavs So when they go sailing on a fine day. Several bicycle riders in.their ordinary riding gear mixed -in the crowd, and several -ivith the help of, friends stood on the seats of their machines to gain a bettor view. Somehow these figures did not seem out of place, for their demeanour was that of respect. Sincerity oi! Heart ■ One felt that the new- order of youth was not breaking modes of funeral observance in any serious degree. Perhaps the thought at tho back of one's mind was that Mr.' Savage would never question choice in clothing, that he was always concerned with the sincerity of the heart. Someone asked a friend whether the Prime Minister would himself have chosen sucji a public funeral. The answer might have been that he thought nothing of ...distinction, that the only thing that mattered to himwas sincerity of the heart. In full measure the people of his own city gave it yesterday when they lined the route of his last journey. -