ON A GOODWILL TOUR

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13886, 20 June 1938, Page 5

ON A GOODWILL TOUR

PRIME MINISTER S VISIT HEARTILY WELCOMED AT PAHIATUA. in continuation of his lightning Lour oi country towns in the Earth island the Prime Minister Hon. M. J. Savage P.C.D.C.L., visited Pahiatua on Saturday afternoon, arriving for lunch after which he was given a rousing welcome by the townspeople, a crowd numbering upwards of 503 being assembled in the square adjoining the Commercial Hotel from the balcony of which he addressed the people. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines and suite, and associated with him was Sir Alfred Ransom M.P. for Pahiatua and Mr G. Hansen, Labour candidate for the Pahiatua seat. Mr J. Robertson, Labour member for Masterton, also joined the party at Pahiatua to accompany the Prime Minister when he traversed south to the Masterton electorate. Mr Savage, after the speech making paid a brief visit to the Pahiatua Public Hospital.

The Mayor, Mr S. K. Sid Jells, in extending a welcome to Mr Savage and party said it way the first official visit made by the Prime Minister of the country and ht took it as ail honour to be able to bid him a warm welcome on behalf ol the people of Pahiatua In stressing the importance of Pahiatua Mr Siddells said they liked to have frequent visits from Ministers of the Crown so that they might have first hand knowledge ol the problems of the district, which he was suge Mr Savage bad at heart, lion. Webb was present to do what he could to liiid employment for a number oi local residents over tlie winter months and he thanked him for liis interest on their behalf. Continuing Mr Siddells remarked that most people had heard and read the speeches made by tho- Prime Minister on the policy of his Government, and he would not say that all were in agreement upon them. while* some were good and some were bad. Now they would see the* Piime Minister in person and he would ask the member for Pahiatua, Sir Alfred Ransom >o introduce Mi Savage. Sir Alfred Ransom said it was his pleasure as representative of the people of Pahiatua. in Parliament to introduce the Prime Minister and the Minister of Mines who had been visiting the electorate as far north as Takapau. He appreciated the fact that a mail who was Prime Minister should make himself conversant with the potentialities ot the country. Mr Savage was present not to deliver a political address but was oji a goodwill mission, and everyone was present because they were loyal ;o their Prime Minister. They realised that under a Democracy they bad tlm best Government possible*. He recalled once asking Lord Biedisloe whether an Independent or Party Government was best for the country and the. latter’s unhesitating reply was that a party Government was tl.e best for the country for in it they had a government and an opposition which criticised legislation brought down and caused it to amend it or to be more careful. However be had not conn* to criticise this time—that would come later on, and was pleased to be present and co-operate with Mr Savage in bis goodwill mission. “Mr Mayor, Sir Alfred Ransom and ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity of meeting you, said Mr Saxage as he advanced to the balcony iront where he was greeted with a burst of cheering, lie leier.ed t«, Mr Siddells’ remarks that soma of liis speeches were good and sonic wore* bad winch was something to go on because all the speeches ho had u>tened to were bad, (Laughter.) Sir Allred had correctly stated the cave when lie had said that ho was present on a goodwill mission. Ju a ie.v months time the people* present could tell him wliat they thought »>1 his policy—some thought that it was"

good and others thought that i f was bail. They could disagree politically, and still be* friends however. He was with them as Prime Minister not as Mr Savage, and whether they agreed politically he wanted them to be lie. lricuds. He* did not wish to ciuub on a pedestal uocauso he could not take it to tlie* grave with him. Tlie greatest woi k possible inside or out ol Parliament was to help those in need. He wished to go to the grave' leaving a monument «»i service. 'This alone would give him satisfaction. He wanted to be the triend of tin* children who, although children today, were* tin- riders of to-morrow, and it was his duty to see* that they got the things that qualified them for tin- duties t.hev would have. Mr Savage then re*fei red to the government's superannuation proposals and said that “Beiore the end of this Parliament we hast* to mak■■ sure that eve: v linin' od couple over •!5 will receive not less than £3 per week in their declining d;iv> N., one can tell what is ahead or vho will he next iiualid. As Christians, v e si: : lid not allow to want thus.* who fall bv the wavside.” Two-thirds of the Post Office Savings Bank accounts had £2O or levs in them an ! this was not sufficient for the evening of life. By this method people could not save sufficient lor their declining day , and it was only right that the State should supplement their savings. After referring to pensions increases, he said medica 1 services would bo taken into every home, inclusive of the baekblocks. As one who bad been serving on a hospital board lor 12 years: In knew something of tin* service and character of the medical profession and there was still greater need for it than ever. He said that limst people who joint d lodges hoped, they w 00l 1 never have to take the benefits at all. and if it was not necessary for anyone to call a doctor there was no need to feel downhearted about it. The Prime Minister intimated that the Government in discharging their

n spoiisihilities to th * children wanted tin* schools put in better order. teachers so as to b * better able to impart know ledge to them to be able to shoulder their buideiis when tliev gr« v. up. Mr Savage said he was always on duty—the telephone was at !ns bed and lie was constantly recci\i: g teli grams alter be bad reUrv J. 11. w;;o Prime Ministei all tin* t in* . a position he held by tho autlio.ity of th; people*, having eonu* willii \ to ser\ e them. Mr Savagi conel id 'd b\ taking a \ oto of the cliildii*n present 011 tie question ol having a holiday to celebrate the occasion oi bis visit, and needless to say it was unanimously agreed to Cheers were then called for the Pi urn* Minister. MORI. SPOIMS FACILITIES. Hon. P. ( Webb, who followed the Prim-* Minister, reiterated tin- mind! at 'on and love which the people Mi Savage and si ke < ■•hi won!:! v.r.it lor nothing in their o',d age. Mr Webb also intimated that he w-ts co-operating with Mr Armstiong to help loval bodies and sports institutions in the matter of providing sports facilities He stated that on application fj'iongh local ho lies an\ sj orts club c rul'd have the* labour < « sts paid for tin* erection of swimming * baths, laying down of tennis courts, etc., th* speaker saying t hai Ihe y v ante d the people to be happv and contented and abb* to 011j >.\ t'lied 1 forty hoar week. Che**rs ware* called for the* Prime Minister ami Hon. P. C. Webb and they weiv aooot"de*d musical honours.