MR H. C. CAMERON.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17628, 4 December 1922, Page 10

MR H. C. CAMERON.

RETIREMENT FBOM HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OrFICE. (JROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON. October 27

In the entrance hall of the High Com-missit-ner's office-last evening, when the work for the day was over, all the staff came together to bid' good-bye to Mi* H. C. Cameron, who has reached the ago limit prescribed by the Government, and has now retired from the positioD as head of tho Immigration Department.

For twenty-five years Mr Cameron has worked in Lotion lor th. v Ne>v Zealand Government commeuc ng as Tracio Commissioner at a time when the New Zealand representative was known as Asiynt-Gen-nal. There only twelve en the staff in tho e days. Yesterday a ck.ff numborinL' delighted to do him honour. ilrs Cameron was also iresent, and received 1 rom the members of tho Immigration Department a handsome bci/quet. Lady Alen. wh" acknowledged her indebtedness to iir Cameron for iiis help and co-openition in a matter in which she takes a" personal interest—the despatch 01 the domestic servants to the Dominion —presented him with a silver matc'<-;:ox and jlr.i Cameron with a silver ta ; .>le-na r km ring. The chief event of the evening, however, was the presentation of a canteen of cutlery, to which every m niber of the High Commissioner's st. fi had subscribed. It was with mixed feelings ti:at they met, said Sir James Allen, in making the presentation —feelings of personal regret, but a so feelings of satisfaction that one of their staff had served the Dominion and the High Commissioner's Department so loyally and faithfully for the long ;:eriod of twentyfive years. There was tV.e fueling of regret at losing a v.iluable officer, but he hoped that Mr Cameron, if he returned to New Zealand, would a ways have —as he knew he would have—the interests of the Dominion at heart, and wou'.d try —-.is he always had tried here—to do what he could for the office in which he had played so important a part.

Co-operation Improved. During his two years as High Commissioner he had appreciated very much Mr Cameron's valuable advice, first as regards exhibition work, in which he had always shown a deep interest. The Immigration Branch,: which he had controlled during recent years, had been a very difficult one becav.se of the distance from Xew Zealand, and of the great trouble in keeping in touch with the Dominion. He was hopeful that Mr Cameron's successor would find it easier in the future because the coordination was much more complete. "New Zealand now realises our difficulties. We realise theirs.

*'l know that Lady Allen has a very high opinion of Mr Cameron," continued Sir James. "She is very grateful to him for the assistance he has given in her endeavour to interest herself in the immigration of domestic servants. I understand that _ Captain Donne wishes me to make this presentation on bshaif of every member of the staff. You are leaving an honourable regret behind you. I should be proud myself to be in your position and to receive from the s"aff such a recognition of your valuable services. 1 understand the relationship between yon and the members of the staff was always a most friendly one. I express my own sincere regret that the time has come for you to retire from your position. I wish you and Mrs Cameron long life, health and happiness, and that you will find work to do—for I know you want work—which will be to your liking. On behalf of the staff I beg to hand you this handsome present which I hope you will find of service to you." .Mr T. E. Donne expressed his personal regret that Mr Cameron was leaving. Mr Cameron had always commanded the lovaltv of his staff, and he asked for the same loyalty to Mr Sandford, who would take over his new duties from th© beginning of next month. In goinrr into private life Mr Cameron was takiny with him the good wishes of all his fellow-officers.

Mr G. F. Copns, Mr J. Kirkley Camnbell, and Mr A. Row (a retired member of staff) added their tributes of appreciation. A Tribute to tha Chief. Mr Cameron spoke feelingly of Ha retirement from fhe office where he had been so long, and had witnessed so many changes. From the twelve members of the staff in th 0 days of Mr W. Pember Reeves, the numbers bad increased to twenty-six in 1908. Out of the 126 today there were cnly ten who were in the office when Mr Reeves left. Mr Cameron then went on to mention by name many of those with whom he hrd been associated, and those who had worked under him, recalling their loyalty and their devotion to their duties. So far back as 1892 he had met Sir James Allen, when he stood for the Bruce electorate. _Mr Cameron related the principal episodes in the career of the High Commissioner. The staff, he said, recognised what a fine chief they had—a man. who was not onlv interested in tfle business of the office, but in the members of the staff, in their sport and in their pleasures. But they were not all aware of what their chief "h"d do"e, and he was glad to have an opportunity of telling them what they had probably not heard before. Mr Cnmeron concluded with kindly reference to his wife who had assisted him with his reports m the old days when there was not always shorthand writers available. He, therefore, considered that the handsome present was partly intended for her. | The cabinet, beautiful in itself, contained a dozen each of knives, forks j and spoons of the various denomina- j tions, and on a silver plate was inscribed the words: "Presented to Mr H. C. Cameron by the staff of the New Zealand Government Office, London. on his retirement, 21st October, 192?." !

After refreshments the whole of fh°staff joined in sinsringr "For he's a jollv eood fellow," followed by cheers for Mr Cameron and his wife.