MR SAVAGE AT SMITHFIELD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 150, 13 July 1937, Page 12

MR SAVAGE AT SMITHFIELD

-Own Correspondent.)

"A Wonderful Experitence," He Says CONGENIAL INFORMALITY

(By Air Mail-

LONDON, June 19. Seeing Smithfield market for the first time is an occasion to be remembered. In the words of the Hon. M. J. Savage, Prime Minister of New Zealaud, after his first visit, it as "a wonderful experienee." Aecompanied by Mr. B. S. Forsyth, British representative of the New Zealand Meat Board, and Sir William Huut, a miember of the board, he spent nearly an hour visiting the market stalls this week together with Mr. Gervase Wood, chairmau of the Market Committee of the City Oorporation of London, and Mr. H. W, Millman, superintendent of the market. Mr. Sayage's visit was notable for its Gongenial informality. It was almost a happygo-lucky occasion, with, neverthelees.n an air of quiet restraint and dignity. On his arrival the Prime Min ister was taken to Mr. Millman's office, where he was greeted by a number oi officijals whio siood round the 'oakpanelled room smoking. Tour of Inspection. Subsequently, with Mr. Forsyth o. one hand and Mr. Wood and Mr. Miii man on the other, the Prime Mimste, walked down the main avenue, throngei' with bustling aetivity. Market portei crowded round to get a glimpso of li'.i. as he proceeded, to an unprotected lifi A bell clanged, and the compan) descended slowly to a gloomy railwa\ clearing depot basement under the mar ket. Here, in the early hours of th morning when the city's millions ar as eep} tons of meat are unloaded. Up in the market again, the brigb : lights shining on the long rows oi butehered meat appeared dazzling in contrast to the scene below. Slowly th>. Prime Mjinister proceeded down tlir rows of stalls, Men who have spen: their lives at Smithfield wero brough; forward to meet Mr. Savage. Many "Personalities." Under the influence of Mr. Forsyth personality, any pretence of irksome formality vanished. Mr. Forsyth 's knowledge of Smithfield personalities seemed to be eneyclopaedic. "This is Mr. he would say. "Hc is the third generation of his family tu work at Smithfield. What he doesn't know about meat isn't worth Knowing." . Of another: "He is a fine ericketer. What is more dmportant, he tsells a lot of New Zealand meat." And of yet another: "He has been working at the market for 40 years selling meat, and New Zealand meat at that." So the introductions and inspection continued. Mr. Forsyth frequently drew the Prime Minister Js attention to New Zealand lainb and frozen beei, pointed out its fine qiialities, and drew comparjsons with the produce of othcr countries. By the time Mr. Savage had completed his inspection he had been introduced to about 50 Smithfield "personalities. ' '