MINISTERS’ HEALTH

Southland Times, Issue 19460, 27 January 1925, Page 6

MINISTERS’ HEALTH

MR MASSEY AND MR DOWNIE STEWART. THE PREMIER IMPROVING. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 2b. Some observations recently made by Hon. A. D. McLeod at Pukekohe with regard to the Prime Minister’s health were brought under Mr Massey’s notice. “What Mr McLeod has stated is absolutely correct,” replied Mr Massey. “It is quite true that I have been suffering for some time with an acute attack of sciatica, and although unfortunately I cannot claim to have yet recovered from it I am, as a matter of fact, very much better, and hope and believe I have now reached the convalescent stage. Naturally I am anxious to get back to work, and am looking forward at no distant date to taking off my coat and getting on with business that has to be done. In saying this it is quite possible that I may not be able to take up hard work for some weeks to come, but 1 am now convinced that I am in a fair way to recovery. All who have been unfortunate enough to have been afflicted with sciatica at some time or other, will know that two of the essential elements in its successful treatment are complete rest and warmth. In these respects I am sorry to say that I was not able at the outset to follow the advice of my medical adviser. Parliament was sitting at the time, and very important business was being done, which it was necessary that I should personally attend to. For this neglect I have since been paying the penalty. I should like to say how very grateful I am to all those who have been displaying such a kindly interest in my health, not only within the boundaries of our own Dominion, but in almost every country of the Empire.” In reference to the approaching visit of Hon. W. Downie Stewart to America, Mr Massey stated that he was very glad that his colleague was going, and trusted that he would come back completely restored to health. Mr Downie Stewart was a man whom the country could ill afford to do without. He was a man of sound judgment and plenty of tact, popular not only with his colleagues, but with the whole of Parliament, and a most capable and efficient administrator. He was quite sure that Mr Stewart would carry the good wishes of the people of New Zealand on his visit to America, which was being undertaken solely in the interests of his health.