REGRET IN LONDON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1940, Page 6

REGRET IN LONDON

LEADER WHO DID NOT SPARE HIMSELF HIGH STANDARD OF PUBLIC DUTY. SUPPORT FOR EMPIRE CAUSE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY. March 2G. News of Mr. Savage’s death was received in London with the greatest regret. The Official Wireless announcement states that at the outbreak of war, Mr. Savage was recovering from a severe abdominal operation, but he did not spare himself in the weeks that followed, in order to bring the wholehearted support of New Zealand to the Empire’s cause.

The newspapers.review Mr. Savage’s work as head of a Labour Government responsible for a number of important social measures, and pay tribute to his high standard of public duty and his personal character. The broadcast which he made to the New Zealand people on the outbreak of war is also recalled.

MANY TRIBUTES MR SAVAGE’S FINE QUALITIES. RECOGNITION OF IMPERIAL SERVICE. (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 26. The New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) paying a tribute to Mr Savage, said his statesmanship had long been recognised by all New Zealanders, irrespective of party. His outspokenness and devotion to the welfare of the Empire had greatly im-l pressed Imperial Conference delegates. "I was a colleague and friend of Mr Savage for many years,” Mr. Jordan said, “and cannot too highly praise his outstanding unselfishness. He did not care who got the credit for any progress he initiated. His loyal and determined leadership of New Zealand afterthe outbreak of war completely represented the nation's will.” The “Daily Telegraph,” in a leader, says: “The whole British Commonwealth will claim the right to share in mourning for Mr Savage. He rose*from a sickbed to give New Zealanders leadership worthy of their own spirit woen the German menace broke into flame. No Empire.spokesman was more insistent that the call had come for a crusade.”

The “News-Chronicle” says: “Mr Savage more than any other was responsible for the triumph of Labour in 1935 which paved the way for one of the finest codes of social legislation throughout the world. Transparent sincerity was not the least of his great personal qualities.”

TRUE FRIEND OF PEOPLE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER REFERENCES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day. 12.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. This Day. The Sydney “Herald” says: “In Mr. Savage, the New Zealand Labour Party was fortunate in having a leader far better fitted than any other man among its Parliamentary membership to make its programme acceptable to the public. His ready sympathy, friendjincss and moderation in speech, both on and off the platform, joined with his obvious sincerity which has never been called into question, enabled him to keep close touch with the thoughts, hopes and feelings of New Zealanders in every stratum of society.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “Mr. Savage was a man of warm heart and unblemished honour. His political policy aroused bitter controversy in New Zealand, but Michael Savage personally was loved throughout the country.”

The “Daily News” says: “In Mr. Savage, New Zealand has lost a true friend of the people and a really great Labour leader.”

WORTHY OF HONOUR ARCHBISHOP-ELECT PRAISES MR SAVAGE. CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. “The death of Mr Savage after his long illness, so courageously borne, deprives the country, as well as his party, of a leader who can ill be spared in these difficult and dangerous days," said Bishop West-Watson, Archbishopelect. “On such an occasion as this, political differences will be forgotten and all good citizens will be thinking of the human qualities of the late Prime Minister. ‘That fierce light which beats upon' a Cabinet Minister

does not spare weakness or failings and it will, surely be the general opinion that Mr Savage emerged from that searching test with honour. On the morrow of his great political triumph be spoke rather as a father to a family than as a party politician. As the years have gone by, he has abundantly proved that simplicity of heart and real human sympathy are not inconsistent with tenancity of purpose and political sagacity. How tragic it is that in his hist days he should have had to face the task, which must have been abhorrent to such a man. of leading his country to war. but by a wonderful victory' of spirit over matter lie was enabled to face that tragedy without] flinching."