SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 196, 17 August 1920, Page 7

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

LORD MIXNER'S TRIBUTE,

"ALL MANKIND'S EPITOME."

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, June 15

Sir Thomas Mackenzie has, in his time, played many parts, and has no doubt been called many things, maybe some of 'then not quite so euphonious as I "Honest Tom." He heard himself "called things" without stint at the Mansion House on the evening of June 10, but they ivere altogether pleasing. j The "occasion was the inevitable "farewell dinner," by which his many friends iin London sought to signify their regret at his retirement from the position of iHigh Commissioner, and their appreciation of the man and his labours here for [New Zealand's good. Of the very I goodly company assembled to do Sir Thomas honour, the most notable present were Viscount Milner, Admiral Jellicoe, the Earl of Reading. Lord Emmott, Uord lsKnston, Sir James Mifls, Sir Joseph P. Macleay (Shipping Controller), Air. A. Fisher (High Commissioner for Australia), Lord Sydenham, the Very Rev. A. Robertson Fitchelt (Dean of Dunedin), General Sir lan Hamilton, Sir George V. Fiddes (Permanent UnderSecretary of State for the Colonies), Sir Charles Lucas, Lord Strathspey, Lord Clifford, the Hon. Wm. Pember Reeves, Captain T. E. Donne, Sir Westby B. Perceval, Sir Arthur Pearson, Mr. Arthur M. Myers, Mr. Moss Davis, Mr. J. W. Gilbert (Chairman London County Council), the High Commissioner for Australia, the Agents-General of all the States of the Commonwealth, the High Commissioner for Canada, representatives of Newfoundland and several Canadian States, many prominent ■'City Fathers," and representatives of many of the leading produce importing houses interested in New Zealand's trade. Over this great company Lord Milner presided, and to him, of course, fell the agreeable task of proposing the health of the guest of the evening, and "the privilege of telling Sir Thomas what lie thought of him.

"FURIOUS ENERGY." I I His lordship said, in the course of a 3 model and much-cheered speech, that • | what Sir Thomas had done in this • i country, and for this country, wa a well i | known to all present. Their guest was .| a man of so various a personality that -| he seemed to be "not one but all man- . j Kinds epitome." After a life of ..strenuous and multifarious activities in -! New Zealand, Sir Thomas had been a ! familiar person in this country fo r n,_-ht i years, and during that time he had ' earned the gratitude of his fellow-eiti- ' f„"/ i!" •"_-_ Z ,° aland the ceaseless, I J%k he , mi f n * almost * a >'. furious energy ' lelT 'f he , ha ? alwa y ß ' country a theiT interests in this Amongst the important organisations on which -Sir Thomas had served was the committee engaged in starting the work of overseas settlers, and he had been and was a most active member on that most important commission which united the hearts of men and women in every part of the Enrpire-.be Imperial graves Commission. "Whether Sir 1 nomas future activities lay in this country or in New-Zealand., they would always .find -him a good citizen," a good patriot, and a good friend." Sir George 11. Perley, Mr. Andrew I toiler, and Sir James Mills supported the toast, which was honoured in the usual manner with vast enthusiasm. WATCH GERMANY. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, in reply, referred with emotion to the kindness and consideration which he had received. His term of office was about to close after eight years of pretty strenuouß work, covering finance, commerce, diplomacy, and military and other work. The war, he said, with all its horrors and the suffering it caused, had united more; strongly than ever the bonds of Empire. Might 'he express the hope that the peace terms which were laid down would be steadfastly adhered to. We had to watch Germany as we would watch a ■d-shonest customer. BRITAIN'S OVERSEAS POLJCY. Sir Thomas added: "Another great consideration is: What will be the policy of this country ovcseas? \re we -to continue the pre-war policy of the open door to out enemies? Shall those of us who stood shoulder to shoulder receive no greater assistance than the enemies who would have reduced us to slavery, and our country to a waste had they won? It seems to mc that the situation must he changed. We jniist not hang to the question of' Free Trade or Protection entirely, but consider the interests of the countries constituting our Empire, and whilst doing justice to our Allies we must *c to it that our law-; are so framed as to give advantages to our own people—to those who stand by us in adversity. SQUARE PEGS UN ROUND HOLES. "I have great hopes in the Department of Overseas Trade if there are proper officers to advise. What one feels in connection with departments controlled by Government is that the advisers are often inexpcriencel. They are. as a rule, trained in schools and universities, not in the special work they have to perform afterwards, and ■have therefore not the experience essential to guide them. I am strongly of opinion, however, that a system of advisory councils, controlled byactive. Ministers and capable departmental servants, is of infinite value to •the Mother Country, and in like manner there ought to be advisory committees acquainted with overseas requirements and conditions, and also familiar with trade on this side, whose special duty it should be to advise the Dominion Governments on questions of trade and kindred subjects." A IPOPULAR APPOINTMENT. In conclusion, Sir Thomas Mackenzie said they were fortunate in having appoined as Governor-General of the Dominion Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Jellicoe. The appointment was most popujar. He would be able to advise them in connection with their defence, for they were greatly concerned in that subject. The time might come when the country might have to defend itself, and at all costs they should maintain an army and navy equal to their Imperial responsibilities. Sir Thomas was later presented with an illuminated address expressing the deep sense of the signatories of the valuable services he had rendered to the Empire during the past eight years. Amongst the signatures to this document were:—Viscount Milner, the Lord Mayor, Mr. Andrew Fisher, Sir Geo. IPerley, Viscount Harcourt, Viscount Northcliffe, Viscount (Burnham, lord Clifford of Ohudleigh, Lord Inchcape, the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, and others.