N.S.W. PREMIER.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18652, 2 June 1932, Page 3

N.S.W. PREMIER.

TRIBUTE FROM PARENTS. GOOD SON—GOOD LEADER. If you visit Gary Street, Marokville, in search of Mr and Mrs Stevens, father and mother of the new State Premier, you don't have to ask twice for the house where the old c'ouple live, says Sydney Sun. For the sunny street that climbs over a quiet hill from Tempo station is aware of the glory in its midst, and heads pop over garden fences as soon as the gate'of Number 24 clangs after a visitor. Everyone in the street knows the parents of the man who supplanted Lang. There might be a good deal more excitement if Mr and Mrs Stevens were not such a retiring couple. As It is, the street knows the house, but all it sees of the inmates is a brief glimpse between two hedges of a white-haird old gntleman reading a paper, and his companion with some embroidery in her hands. They were sitting on their verandah when The Sun representative called on them. This house, in which they have lived for 10 years, was given to them by the Premier. lie built it for them, saving the money from his personal income to do so. “It is only one of many gifts,” nis mother said proudly. “They haven’t all been as big as this, of course, but lie has always been the most perfect son to me, kind, thoughtful, and gracious. Ho gave us this cottage just before father retired from his position at Goodlet and Smith’s joinery, after over 40 years there, and we have lived here ever since. When ho was a lad, he told me he’d always look after me, and he always has.” “ Won’t Cut Wages.” Mr Steven’s chief enjoyment is his newspaper and his pipe. “ Do you think your son will make a success of the Premiership " was asked. “Of course , he will,” added Mr Stevens; “he’s succeeded in everything he tackled since boyhood.” “And what about our wages. Is he likely to reduce hem, as some of his opponents suggest?" “ No," said Mr Stevens. “ I’ve been a trades unionist all my life. The boy was brought up in a workingman’s home, and his sympathies, like mine, have always been with the workers." At this stage the Premiv’s mother inerposed: “Of course, Bert always visits us with his children, at least once a week. I’m afraid we always talk shop. His one great worry during the last year or so has been how to help the unemployed men and women back to work.” “ I’ve qfteu told him not to overwork himself. But he only smiles and says, ‘Don’t worry about me. I love the job, and as long as I can give a helping hand to those who need help. 1 am perfectly happy.’ ” “Wo are very' glad about Bert,” Mrs Stevens went on. ' “ But we were not surprised. He has gone far In life, but no farther than he deserved. He was always more interested In his studies and in politics than in anything else. “ His only relaxations, as a lad were cricket and music. He still loves to listen to music although he’s given up cricket. His father told him he could do what' he liked —learn a trade or go into Public Service, and he chose the service. It’s been a long hill for him to climb, and a hard one, but he’s still a young man and we are happy now in his success." Homely Peace. Mrs Stevens is very like her son, but slightly built, and her hair is still brown. . She has three daughters married, and another son and numerous grandchildren. “ We brought Bert up to be 'honourable and upright before all else," his mother said. “We lived quietly, in a bouse like this, and although he has boon for so many years in public life, he is still a good and loving son to us I’m suro all mothers will agree with me that a good son will make a good Premier.”