MEETING THE PEOPLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1938, Page 9

MEETING THE PEOPLE

PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR i BIG GATHERING AT EKETAHUNA. MR WEBB ON EMPLOYMENT POSITION. Cheering and enthusiastic crowds greeted the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) when he continued his tour of the Southern Hawke's Bay, Bush and Wairarapa districts on Saturday. The official party left Norsewood early in the morning and the Prime Minister briefly addressed large gatherings at towns and villages en route to Pahiatua where he was entertained at lunch by the Pahiatua Labour Representation Committee. From a hotel balcony, Mr Savage addressed a gathering of about 800 Pahiatua residents, his remarks being along the lines of those made at recent meetings in other places. The member for Pahiatua, Sir Alfred Ransom, accompanied Mr Savage and the Minister of Employment, the Hon. P. C. Webb, on the tour of the Pahiatua electorate and Mr J. Robertson, M.P., joined the party when the Masterton electorate was reached. The Eketahuna Public Hall was crowded to the doors when the Mayor, Mr W. Simpson extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister, who he said had the courage of his convictions and would not dodge the issue as his predecessors had done. He was possessed of backbone which was seldom possessed by legislators. In paying ~a tribute to the Prime Minister, Mr Robertson said Mr Savage was carrying out his heavy responsibilities with unmatched courage, ability and humanitarianism, which formed a combination that enabled him to overcome any obstacles in his way.

Mr Savage, who was enthusiastically received, said the object of his tour was to meet the people and prove to them that he was not the bushranger a section of the Wellington Press would make him out to be. He was not going to apologise for mistakes he had made or things he had failed to do. He would probably make some mistakes, although he did not know of any at the moment, but he would also make other things too. “We read more bunkum in the papers today than ever before,” Mr Savage added, “simply because we have a Labour Government. Every politician that comes to New Zealand condemns the Labour Government. Economists and all kinds of birds that arrive here say something about the mistakes of the Government and the disastrous things ahead. I believe, however, that New Zealand is definitely in a bettei* condition today than ever before. Your fate and your destiny is just as safe in my hands today as .it was when you put us into office in 1935. I want to be with you and be one of you and when I leave this world I want to take your love and esteem With me. If I can do that I will feel that I have not lived a fairly long life in vain.”

“I will be delighted to meet you in the days to come,” Mr Savage continued, “whatever way you vote. I can do my job on either side of the House. At the same time I would sooner back my chances at the poll than one of Paddy Webb’s race horses.”

“There is practically no unemployment problem in New Zealand today,” observed Mr Webb. “Work,” he added, “has been practically arranged in every town in New Zealand and when I leave the Wairarapa I hope to be able to say that there is not a married or single, man able to work who will be without a job. We are the first Government that has a plan for providing employment for seasonal workers during the winter months. We have brought prosperity to your doors and we will bring it into every room if you put us back and give us the chance we want. I believe that we will go back with an overwhelming majority because we have solved the problems that other Governments have failed to face. Our deeds will speak for themselves.” On his way from Eketahuna to Masterton. Mr Savage made brief halts at Mauriceville and Kopuaranga and met district settlers. In spite of a very strenuous day, he arrived at Masterton only about ten minutes late for the civic reception.