STATE LIFE OFFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1933, Page 5

STATE LIFE OFFICE

COMMISSIONER RETIRES

PRESENTATION TO MR, ALLISON

Tributes to- his service to the State and to his personal qualities were paid at a farewell gathering .yesterday afternoon to Mr. A. E. Allison, retiring Commissioner of tho Government Lifo Insurance Department. Among those present were a number of heads of 'departments, tho Public Service Com- i missio'ner (Mr. P. A rei'schaffelt), and several retired officers of tho Department. On behalf of the staff, tho new Commissioner (Mr. AY. E. Arnold) presented Mr. Allison with a radio set, also a solid leather travelling case for Mrs. Allison. Mr. Arnold, who presided, read a message from the Minister in charge of the Department (the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata), expressing warm appreciation of Mr.. Allison's services and the hope that he would enjoy the long life and happiness he soundly deserved. Letters and telegrams of a j similar nature from the managers and staffs of the various branches throughout the Dominion were also mentioned. Mr. Arnold said that .the retiring Commissioner had served the Stato faithfully and efficiently for practically fifty years. Under Mr. Allison's guidance the Government Life Office not only had earned a place on the map, but had reached a very sound position. He had been in control during one of the most trying periods, and the fact that the Department had come through the difficulties of the last eighteen months so well was due to Mr. Allison's wisdom and the provision he had made. Mr. Arnold said that although they were saying farewell to Mr. _ Allison they were not going to lose him altogether, for he had been appointed to an advisory position, so that the speaker could seek his advice at any time. He wished Mr. Allison a long and happy retirement. Mr. Vci'schaffclt said ho was losing an admirable official who was a personal friend. Mr. Allison had done excellent work, not only as Commissioner of the Government Life Department, but also as a member of tho Superannuation Board, the State Fire Board, and the Native Trust Investment Board. - Others who paid tribute to Mr. Allison were Messrs. G. AY. Barltrop, G. A. Kennedy, H. Rose (late Deputy Commissioner), AY. Fleming (representing the outside staff), and C. A. L. Treadwell (a member of the firm of solicitors to the Department). ' Iv his reply, Mr. Allison said it was not without some misgivings that ho had taken the step of retiring from office. He had been in the service for over 47 years, but-he did not feel a back number, and still had a "bit of punch.," "My thought has ever been the Department—first, last, and always," said Mr. Allison. "It has always been my aim that the Department should not take second place to any life insurance office in the Southern Hemisphere. I have aimed to leave the Department in as good a position as when I took it over, and with your help I've done that." Mri Allison thanked the staff for the gifts presented to him and to Mrs. Allison, and tho gathering concluded with cheers for him.