THE PRIME MINISTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1939, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER

UNDERGOING OPERATION TODAY

CHEERFUL ENTRY MADE TO HOSPITAL.

MR FRASER ACTING-PREMIER

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day

Bright and active in spite of the prospect, of an operation this morning, the Primo Minister. Mr Savage, entered the Lewisham Hospital yesterday morning. Two of his oldest friends, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Mr Fagan, and the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, met at the Prime Minister’s new home in Northland to accompany him to the hospital, where he was received by members of the staff and shown to a pleasant room with a sun balcony. No touch of gloom was apparent when Mr Savage was being driven to hospital. He is reported to have joked with Mr Webb before leaving home, and to have been in good spirits. Mr Webb’s action in accompanying the Prime Minister was the more appreciated, as he is suffering from influenza and returned to bed at his home immediately after seeing Mr Savage installed at Lewisham Hospital.

The operation, which Mr Savage was persuaded to undergo following a period, of recurrent indisposition, will be performed at about 10 o'clock this morning. Doctors in attendance on the Prime Minister are Dr. J. Roberts Boyd, physician, and Mr E. Gordon Anderson, surgeon. They held a consultation yesterday afternoon at the hospital. Dr. Boyd attended Mr Savage about a year ago when he became ill and at that time an X-ray was taken.

Those most closely associated with the Prime Minister do not expect him to resume his duties during the present session of Parliament. If the operation today is as successful as is hoped, it is expected that Mr Savage will spend about three weeks in hospital. He will convalesce at his home in Northland, which commands one of the finest views in Wellington. The House yesterday granted Mr Savage 14 days’ leave of absence. For the duration of the Prime Minister’s illness, the Acting-Leader of the House. Mr Fraser, will become Acting-Prime Minister. It is expected that during his convalescence Mr Savage will keep in touch with the Ministry.

MANY MESSAGES SYMPATHY AND GOOD WISHES. WELLINGTON, This Day. Among cablegrams of sympathy for the Prime Minister in his illness is one expressing regret and good wishes from his Excellency, the Governor-General. Another is from the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr R. G. Menzies, which states: “My colleagues and I have learnt of your illness with very great regret. We trust the treatment you are about to undergo will be instrumental in restoring you to health. We hope very soon to hear good reports of your progress.” , It is reported that Mr Savage's operation was over by eleven o’clock this morning and that a bulletin will be issued this afternoon. OPERATION PERFORMED SOME ANXIETY FOR NEXT FEW DAYS. ANNOUNCEMENT IN HOUSE. WELLINGTON, This Day. The following statement concerning Mr Savage’s condition was made in the House of Representatives by the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Fraser): — “This morning Ithe Prime Minister underwent a serious abdominal operation, on account of an obstruction, which has now been relieved. I have been informed by his medical advisers that Mr Savage stood the operation very well, but that of necessity his condition must cause anxiety for the next few days.”