SIR JAMES ALLEN.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18802, 21 September 1926, Page 10

SIR JAMES ALLEN.

WELCOME IN DUNEDIN. of '■; . bi st EMPIRE ORGANISATION. p£ w 01 (rRESS ASSOCIATION tmjmbah.) w to DUNEDIN, September 20- p j Sir James Allen was tendered an en- al thusiastic reception in the Town Hall ts to-day. The Mayor, Mr Taplcy, was in the chair, and there was .a largo gathering. , Tho Mayor said he was voicing the sentiment of the community when, he extended a warm welcome to one who had rendered such distinguished service He referred to Sir James Allen's academic success, his 33 years in Parliament, and his work as a member ot the Government. As Minister for Defence, he had done valuable service, and Lis organisation had greatly assisted the dispatch of contingents w <- W Sir tU George Fenwick also welcomed C Sir James Allen back again. a Mr J. M. Dickson, M.P., represent- \ jng the Harbour Board, and Mr «•• \- C Campbell, for tho Chamber of Com- f merce. also spoke. Sir James Allen, in reply said he had been greatly moved by the warm x welcome in his home town, and on be- ' half of himself and his wiio he thanked them heartily. The last six years had -liven him an opportunity to become acquainted with international finestions of great interest. He would not say all be would like to say, but no would like to allude to the office of New Zealand in the Stand rn London. ( The work of the office had grown so much that the buildin.it occupied in 1913 was now too small for requirements and they had been able to purchase a freehold site. It was a splendid building, but unfortunately it could not be occupied for two or three years yet. , Many in New Zealand would probably realise the great difficulties with regard to Imperial organisation. Itwas by no means an easy problem to work out the relationships, and he would look forward with interest to what took place at the next Imperial Conference. He was glad to know that Canada was to be represented, lhere were differences of opinion amongst the Dominions. There was Canada, the ■largest and oldest of them all, peculiarly situated, bordering as she ma the United States, hardly knowing where sho stood in the Commonwealth of British Nations. There was South Africa restless too, with her difficult ; problems, her Dutch, and native population. Ho did , take some ; credit for tho gathering tp- ' gethcr of the High Commis- ■ sioners in London, when the Wembley Exhibition commenced in .1924. Ke- •■ presentation for cino member of the - Board was offered to the Dominions, ' and his colleagues had asked him to re- ■ present them on tho Board. He had r then seized the opportunity, immediately, of arranging for a round table , conference of tho High Commissioners. t After 1925 they had a special meetf ing, and all were agreed that the conferences were of so much lmport- - ance, that they were continued, ana r he hoped thev would always be conr tinued. He believed that tho High Commissioners had arrived at underlj standings around the ' conference table .. that would be of immense importance „ to their respective Prime Ministers, r , and he thought these would he of immense importance during the forthcoming Imperial Conference. Some of the '„' resolutions arrived at at these confcrences, the various Governments midit not accept, but he believed they h woTild bo of assistance to the Prime n Ministers in the difficulties they would } " he called upon to face at the Imperial 11 Conference.