"RETIREMENT"

Evening Post, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 11

"RETIREMENT"

MR. THOMAS'S HOPES

Mr. J. H. Thomas'referred jokingly to his transfer from Dominions to Colonial Secretary as "retirement," when he spoke recently at a luncheon in honour of Mr. G. Howard Ferguson, the retiring Canadian High Commissioner in London, says the "Daily Telegraph." Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald, who has succeded • Mr. Thomas as Dominions Secretary,!' was also present. "Unlike me, you are retiring," Mr. Thomas said to Mr. Ferguson. "1 have retired. I only hope that my successor will be able to do better than I. That is the maxim that any public servant can lay down. That is my spirit. •1 have ftad a long innings. 1 have played a big part in public life. I have played it because I love the heritage that has enabled me, a working man, to get where I am." Referring to praises of Mr. Ferguson's work for Canada, Mr. Thomas said: "I hate these. They mean that during the past five years you have been trying to bamboozle me to get something for Canada that I did not think she ought to have. "The same applies to Bruce (Mr. S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner for Ausr tralia) and the other fellows. Now, having got away with it, you are thinking what wonderful fellows you are and what a fool I am." (Laughter.)

Sir Hewitt Skinner, president of the chamber, who presided, emphasised the closer relations and increased business between England and Canada resulting from Mr. Ferguson's five years of office. The vice-president (Sir George McLaren Brown) presented Mr. Ferguson with a 17th-century silver loving cup, accompanied by its original trade card, and an illuminated address.

Mr. Ferguson, who was deeply moved, declared that it was with the greatest regret that he was leaving England. "Of all the impressive and marvellous memories I shall carry away with me," he said, "the Jubilee, with its proof of affection and loyalty to the King, is what will ever remain uppermost and indelible in my mind."

Rats and mice are bred on a farm in Essex, where the average "stock" is usually 50,000 rats and 350,000 mice. They are sold principally for research work.