Michael Joseph Savage

Michael Joseph Savage

Labour Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage is seen here opening the head office of the new Department of Social Security on 27 March 1939. After suffering setbacks in the 1920s, the Labour Party was finally swept into power in 1935. The government set up a comprehensive welfare state to protect New Zealanders from what many had suffered in the depression. In his victory speech, Savage outlined the Labour Party’s vision of a decent standard of living and economic security for ordinary New Zealand working families.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (M. J. Savage – speech post-election victory, 27/11/35 by phone from 1YA/Reference number D468/2).