FACTORIES VISITED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 10

FACTORIES VISITED

Prime Minister Cheered In Auckland SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, -March 22.

Scenes of the utmost enthusiasm, witli cheering and singing, greeted the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, when he visited the clothing factory of Robert Greer and Son, Limited, Ponsonby, this morning. Mr. Savage was accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan. Messrs. Lark, M.L.C., Anderton, M.P., Richards, M.P., L. J. Schmitt, secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, members of his staff and representatives of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association.

-Mr. Savage was cheered by the girls, who leaned from the windows on the various floors of the building. The party was conducted through the building by senior members of the firm. At the conclusion of the tour the staff assembled iu the luncheon room and was briefly addressed by Mr. Savage and Mr. Sullivan. Repeated cheers were given for Mr. Savage, and the staff joined iu singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” A light touch was lent to the proceedings by Mr. Sullivan, who, in response to repeated demands, led the staff iu singing “The Isle of Capri.” When Mr. Sullivan, who bad been introduced by. Mr. Savage as a singer of some repute, went to speak, he was greeted by calls of “Sing it to us,” and eventually he did, after some of the girl employees had begun the song. Further cheers were given as Mr. Savage and the party left the building, which was decorated with a large number of placards bidding the visitors welcome. The Prime Minister’s car was surrounded by a number of employees, with whom he shook hands. Other Factories Visited.

Two other factories were visited by Mr. Savage, accompanied bj’ the same official party. In the afternoon he went first to the factory of J. Edwards and Sons, Limited, manufacturers of wooden heels, elothes-pegs and other wooden articles. Mr. Savage was received by the senior members of the firm and. after being shown over the factory and having seen the various different types of goods in all stages of manufacture, he addressed the staff. Mr. Sullivan also spoke. The Prime Minister was cheered as he left to continue his tour of inspection. A crowd had assembled in Union Street outside the factory, and it was some minutes before Mr. Savage could leave. He shook hands with many people, signed autograph books and acknowledged repeated cheers.

Further scenes of enthusiasm occurred on arrival at the factory of Bridgens and Company, Limited, footwear manufacturers. Local residents and passers-by had assembled in force to greet,Mr. Savage, and the party had some small difficulty in entering the premises, so densely packed were the watching people. The directors of the company welcomed Mr. Savage and the other guests and entertained them to afternoon tea. Cheering and singing, repeated hand-shakes and cries of "Good Old Mickey” marked the close of the visit. Mr. Savage was surrounded by girt employees, some of whom linked arms about him, while others sang, and further enthusiasm was displayed by the growing crowd that had assembled on the street. The Prime Minister and his party will visit other factories tomorrow.