FIGHT AGAINST ODDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20006, 3 August 1939, Page 10

FIGHT AGAINST ODDS

MR. SAVAGE’S ILLNESS COLLEAGUES’ TRIBUTE OPPOSITION’S SYMPATHY (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In announcing in the House of Representatives yesterday aiternoon that the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, would enter (hospital to-d.ay to undergo an abdominal operation, the deputy-leader of 'the House, the Hon. P. Fraser, said:— “I wish to say that I am familiar with (the condition of the Prime Minister during the last fortnight._ I know how he struggled on against odds to discharge the high and. responsible duties of bis office, and .row he 'has been compelled, under medical advice, to relinquish (his post emporuriiy. “After a period of sickness and with lire knowledge of (the imminent necessity for an operation, he considered it his duty to come to the House 'last evening and personally present the Budget. “With a full knowledge of the circumstances, I can only express; my sincere admiration for,-the man who, from a high sense of public duty of what he owed' the country at such a cri'.ical period, set aside .his own personal convenience, comfort and safety.” The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, 'said the Opposition learned with sincere regret if Mr. Savage’s indisposition and desired to join with other members of the House in expressing sympathy with him. He hoped that the Prime Minister’s indisposition would-be only a. 'temporary one- and that he would experience a speedy recovery. He asked Mr. Fraser to convey to Mr. Savage the Opposition's sympathy and the .hope that he would soon be back in the House.