PRIME MINISTER COMFORTABLE

Southland Times, Issue 23888, 5 August 1939, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER COMFORTABLE

Serious Operation Yesterday

CONDITION STATED TO BE SATISFACTORY

ANXIETY FOR NEXT FEW DAYS

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 4.

The condition of the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), who underwent an operation today was reported at 6 p.m. tonight by the surgeon attending the Prime Minister, Mr E. Gordon Anderson, and the physician, Dr D. J. Roberts Boyd, to be satisfactory. faking all the circumstances into consideration. The bulletin added that Mr Savage had had a comfortable afternoon.

The operation on Mr Savage was performed in the Lewisham Hospital this morning, and when the House of Representatives assembled for its sitting this afternoon, the acting Leader of the House (the Hon. P. Fraser) made the following announcement: This morning, the Prime Minister underwent a serious abdominal operation because of an obstruction, which has now been relieved. I have been informed by his medical adviser that Mr Savage stood the operation very well, but that, of necessity, his condition must cause anxiety for the next few days. Many more letters, cablegrams and telegrams from all parts of New Zealand and from overseas, from private persons and organizations continued to arrive yesterday, expressing sympathy with Mr Savage and the hope of a speedy and complete recovery for him. One was received from the GovernorGeneral (Lord Galway) from Apia, and another from the Premier of the Commonwealth of Australia (Mr R. G. Menzies). Bulletins on the condition of the Prime Minister will be issued by his medical advisers twice daily, one in the morning and one in the evening. FARMERS EXPRESS SYMPATHY WISHES FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY “Whatever our political views, I think every true New Zealander will feel deep regret at the news of the illness of the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and that he has had to undergo a major operation,” said the president of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union (Mr E. A. Cameron) at the meeting of the executive yesterday. He moved a motion assuring Mr Savage of sympathy in his illness and wishing him a quick recovery. The motion was carried unanimously.