Honorary K.C.M.G. to top economist

Press, 11 June 1977, Page 1

Honorary K.C.M.G. to top economist

Emeritus Professor J. B. Condliffe, who has been, made an honorary- Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George, is an Aust-ralian-born economist who was educated in Christchurch, and is now an American citizen. He was professor of economics at Canterbury University College from 1920 to 1926. Professor Condliffe. who is now a consultant at Stanford Research Institute, was professor of economics at the University of California from 1940 to 1958. He was consultant to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in 1957. and has held many important posts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

Professor Condliffe is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His publications include “A Short History of New Zea-

land.” “New Zealand in the Making,” “The Welfare State in New Zealand,” “Economic Outlook for New Zealand,” “Te Rangi Hiroa — The Life of Sir Peter Buck.” He served with the Ist N.Z.E.F. from 1917 to 1919. Professor Condliffe, one of the few American citizens to receive an honorary knighthood, was professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1940 to 1960. When the United States entered the Second World War. defence research contracts were let to several of the leading American universities, including the University of California. A condition of these was that the senior staff in the universities should all be—or become — American citizens. Professor Condliffe then

took American citizenship, but has retained many ties with New Zealand, and particularly with the University of Canterbury. The director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr R. S. Duff) has been made a Commander of the Order of rhe British Empire (C.8.E.) Dr Duff joined the museum in 1938 as an ethnologist. He was assistant director from 1945 to 1947, and was made director in 1948. He is an internationally renowned scholar of Polynesian culture, with many published works to his credit.

Dr Duff pioneered the excavation of moa remains at Pyramid Valley in 1949, and since 1969 he has given much energy to the building of the museum's hund-

reth anniversary wing. A former chairman of the Westland County Council. Mr M. Wallace, sen., of

Hokitika has also been awarded the C.B.E. Mr Wallace is a former provincial president of the West Coast branch of Federated Farmers, and has served on the Greymouth Harbour Board and the South Island Local Bodies’ Association. He has been active in farming affairs for many years. Dr Morgan Fahey, a general practitioner in Christchurch for the last 15 years, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (0.8. E.

Dr Fahey established in 1972 the medical accident teams, where doctors work with St John Ambulance Brigade men to attend all serious accidents. In five rears they have attended more than 800 serious accidents in Canterbury. Mr B. N. Norris, an honorary wildlife ranger with the Department of Internal Affairs for the last, 15

years, has been made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (Q. 5.0. for community service. Mr Norris is well known for his care of wildlife, particularly birds which come ashore on Canterbury beaches. Mr Norris was born and has spent most of his life in Lyttelton. He founded the Lyttelton Museum, and has been a member of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society for many years. He has been honorary curator of Antarctic relics in the Canterbury Museum since 1967. From 1963 to 1964 he was a member of the Antarctic Society party which restored historic huts on Ross Island. A Christchurch lawyer, Mr V. G. Spiller, has been made a Member of the Order of tire British Empire (M.8.E.).

Mr Spiller was educated in Christchurch and graduated Ll.B. from the University of Canterbury. He has practised in Christchurch since the early 19305. He has been a member of the Riccarton Borough Council, as Deputy Mayor and chairman of the finance committee. He is an original member of the Christchurch - Lyttelton Road Tunnel Authority, and has served as deputy chairman and chairman. Mr Spiller was an officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War 11.

The Queen's Service Medal (Q.S.M.) has been awarded to three Christchurch men — to Messrs I. Stanicich and R. E. G. Cameron for community service, and to Mr D. G. Simes for public service. Mr Stanicich came to

New Zealand from Yugoslavia in 1925. For about 10 years he helped Yugoslav people in Christchurch who appeared before the courts or had contact with the police. Mr Stanicich, who is retired, has worked for the’ Railways Department and as a chef. •Mr Simes, who is transmission superintendent for the Electricity Department, was a key figure in the restoration of the power link with the North Island after the big gale of August 1, 1975. He is now on a private visit to Britain. Mr Cameron is national welfare officer of the New Zealand Ex-Prisoners’ of War Association, and is welfare officer for the Canterbury branch. Mr Cameron, who is retired, is a former supervisor in the office of the Chief Postmaster.