THE LATE PRIME MINISTER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 140, 29 March 1940, Page 4

THE LATE PRIME MINISTER

A BRIEF SURVEY Tlie late Mr Savage was (38 years of age. Born at Benalla, Victoria, on March 7, 1872, he worked at many callings. Coming to New Zealand in 1907 he took an active parti in the tirade union movement, and contested the Auckland Central seat in 1911, and was returned for Auckland West in 1919 and retained that seat until his death. In 1923 he was elected DeputyLeader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, and in 1933, on the death of the Leader;, Mr H. E.. Holland, became leader of the Party and Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. Leading his party to victory at the General Election in 1935, Mr Savage became New Zealand's first Labour Prime Minister, and there is no doubt his own personal humanitarian outlook had a strong influence on the subsequent social legislation that was enacted. He visited London in 1937 as New Zealand's representative at the Coro nation of King George VI and also as delegate to the Imperial Conference. Successful again at the General Election of 1938, Mr Savage retained the leadership of the Party, and despite failing health during the past twelve months has continued to hold the office of Prime Minister,, the more onerous portion of the duties being undertaken by the Hon. P. Eraser. j