THE FREEDOM OF LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 5

THE FREEDOM OF LONDON

MR SAVAGE AND MR LYONS CEREMONY AT GUILDHALL LONDON, June 14. The freedom of the City of London was today conferred upon the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr M. J. Savage) and the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. A. Lyons) by the Court of the Common Council, at the Guildhall. Among those present were the Secretary for the Dominions (Mr Malcolm MacDonald), Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Miss Ishbel MacDonald, the Prime Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King), the High Commissioner for Australia (Mr S. M. Bruce) and the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J. Jordan). There was a strange mistake at the outset when the Principal Clerk (Sir Adrian Pollock) described Mr Savage as Prime Minister of Canada, Both rei ceived a dainty gold casket containing a document conferring the freedom of the city. Mr Savage alluded to the Coronation as a manifestation of the people’s love for their Majesties as well as its endorsement of the democratic form of government, and hoped that the Empire’s commercial ties would be strengthened in the future. Mr Savage added that London’s greatness made him prouder to be its freeman. New Zealand had introduced more human legislation than any other country, and would be even more progressive in the future. B The guests at the Guildhall also included the New Zealand Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) and Mrs Nash, Sir James and Miss Parr, and the agents-general of the states. Luncheon in the Egyptian room of the Mansion House followed. The Lord Mayor (Sir George Broadbridge), proposing the toast of the new freemen, declared that London was delighted to honour men who had thrown self aside i and devoted their lives to the service of the nation. It was due largely to the quality of such men that the Empire was so well governed. Mr Savage said that if Mr Lyons and

himself made happier those countries and the people who had sent them to London, they would have done their duty. “Whether I am Prime Minister or just working for a living—Prime Ministers do not work for a living, they just take it when it comes—it makes no difference,” he said. “I shall always be indebted to those associated with me and shall do my best to get even with them if they can only reach New Zealand and enter the Prime Minister’s office. My sole desire is to make the British people understand.” „