THE RELAPSE MOT UNEXPECTED.

Shannon News, 3 April 1925, Page 3

THE RELAPSE MOT UNEXPECTED.

HEAVY STRAJN ON ROBUST CONSTITUTION. WELLINGTON, March 3.L For a long time th» state QI Mr Massey's health lias exercised the minds of Jus friends, who did nqt appear wholerheartedly to accept the official bulletins whiich were occasionally issued. There was an uneasy reeling that his illness was puzzling his medical advisers.. The.relore the announcement of the relapse s uttered hy the Prime Minister caused little surprise to those closely in touch w.ith Ministerial affairs in Wellington. The Prime Minister, though suffering, maintained such vigorous mental health that he saw his secretary at least twuce daily, read important communications, and followed events tnrough the newspapers. The significance of the fact that he was unable to leave his house except in a motor on very fine days, though he had expected to return to his; office last January, hag not been lost sight of by his friends,' who have felt some anxiety, realising that his recovery would he very slow. BEARING. A HEAVY LOAD.

Mr Massey, of late years, has taken ■a heavy toll of his 'robust constitution. It has been a point of pride with him that no matter how early in the morning Parliament sa*t he would arrive at 9 a.m. at his office for his invariable first duty—an interview w.ith the Secretary tq the Treasurer. •Parliamentary affairs last session were a sufficient matter for anxiety, but the Prime Minister steered carefully through the rapids. Unfortunately, this involved, if not his constant presence in the House, a necessity to be on hand, for he wa# frequently called from a couch in a nearby office to deal with awkward situations which arose. An additional cause of anxiety for the Prime Minister was the health of Mrs which at the time of his last visit to England was such that he Jelt dubious about making the voyage. Publicly and privately the Prime Minister has been bearing a load which his hitherto splendid constitution would not stand. His recovery, once he had broken down, was therefore expected to be a slow one, and recent developments prove that these, expectations were correct. Members of tooth branches of the Legislature who gathered for the All Blacks' luncheon, and who saw Mr Massey for the first time since last session, could not hide their shocked surprise at his weak appearance and obvious loss in weight. One member declared that the Prime Minister had lost four or five stone in weight since he saw him last.. '. However, despite aj trail appearance, Mr Massey has maintained a thorough cheerfulness, and this, with his strong frame, is a' good asset in what is now. admitted tq be a serious illness. m r AFTER THE OPERATION. No information was obtainable regarding the Prime Minister's condition lor several hours after the operation,' inquirers feeing informed that it would be some time before he was clear of the effects of the anaesthetic, and that a bulletin would not be able. to convey any further facts of value. The Prime' Minister was operated on in the Bow en Street private hospital in' which he was treated more than a year ago,-a cyst be.ing removed from the neck. He had completely recovei'ed from this trouble, as. far as could be seen, and the symptoms ol his present illness are said t<> be entirely different. , . Great care has he.en shown in issuing information regarding his health. Though this, possibly is. desirable, it adds somewhat to local public concern over the matter. Possibly the medical mystery will he cleared up in early bulletins. So far the public have been allow.ed merely to guess at the cause of the trouble, which the exploratory operation mu sf, have made clear.