SIR JAMES ALLEN

Evening Star, Issue 17328, 16 April 1920, Page 2

SIR JAMES ALLEN

TO BE ACCORDED A PUBLIC FAREWELL. COMMITTEE FORMED. A meeting was held yesterday afternoon in the Town Hall "for the purpose of making arrangements for a suitable farewell to Sir James Allen before his departure for Great Britain to take over the duties of the High Commissioner for New Zealand. The Mayor (Mr W. Begg) presided over an- attendance of about 30 gentlemen. The Mayor said he had been told by Colonel Frederic that Sir James would be pleased to meet the citizens on the evening of April 23. So far nothing had been arranged, and it was for them to say what form the evening should take. "Mr J. J. Clark moved and Mr M. Cohen seconded—"That this meeting resolve that a public farewell be tendered on April 23 to Sir James Allen on the occasion of his leaving J\;ew Zealand to take up the duties of High Commissioner.' _ Mr Clark said the mere fact of their being present was sufficient evidence that they were of one mind that Sir James, no matter how much they differed from him, was deserving of tho thanks of the whole community. Sir James had always been closely a-ssoeiated with them in this City, and had dene splendid work in many spheres. They knew, of the keen interest he had taken in sport, and how he had lifted the standard of their games.. The same energy which he shewed in this City was also shewn in his public life, in his university work, and more especially in his position of Minister of Defence, for which ha stood out as one of the leading statesmen New Zealand had produced. The motion was carried. Mr Cohpjß suggested that the evening take the form of a conversazione in the Art Gallery, but it waS decided, after discussion, to leave the form of the entertainment to the committee to be. appointed. The following were appointed as a committee :—Messrs J. J. Clark (convener), D. E. Theomin. M. Cohen, G. L. Deiihistcn, T. K. Sidey, M.P., E. Rosevear. H. Mitchell, J. J. Walker. K. Kellctt, M.P., J. A. Johnstone, Sir George Fenwick, Hon. J. MacGregor, Dr Cameron, Rev. V. G. Bryan King, and the Mayor. A meeting of the committee was held immediately after the meeting. FAREWELL FUNCTION AT WELLINGTON. [Per United Prhss Association.] WELLINGTON, Aoril 15.

Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, who is about to leave New Zealand to take the office of High Commissioner in London, was given a cordial "send-off" at a citizens' gathering in the concert chamber of the "Town Hall. The Mavor (Mr J. P. Luke, M.P.) presided. The Prime Minister and Mrs Massey. Sir William Fraser, Major-general Robin, jind the Hon. Dc H. Guthrie were present. Lady Allen was unable to be present owing to engagements in Dunedin. The hall was well filled. *

Mr Massey said : " I have met the Defence Ministers of the other Dominions, and also the gentleman who occupied the corresponding position in Britain during the war. and I believe that there was no letter Defence ..Minister in the whole Empire than Sir James Alien. (Applause.) T am very sorry to lose him its a colleague."

Sir James Allen, who was received with applause, said he did not intend to-say good-bye. He would rather say a-u revoir, for lie intended to return to New Zealand in the future" after he had served for a term in. the United Kingdom. He believed that he was in better health to•day than he had been when he became Minister of 'Defence. He wished to say to the iadies. and especially to the young ladies, that he believed the Military Service Act had owed more to a girl of 13 or 14 years than to the Minister of Defence. He remembered what had happened when the Bill was first before Parliament, and the stimulus that had been (riven to him by this girl. The Dominion owed a tremendous debt to its women and girls. Tn conclusion, Sir James Allen said he hoped 1 lint, all the people of New Zealand would think Imperially. The safety and welfare, of the Dominion depended upon it?, connection with the other Dominions of th" Empire, and with the Mother Land that- had given them all birth. If the people of AngloSaxon blond could stand together—and he believer! they could—th<n- could look to the future with complete confidence. The Minister offered his warmest thanks to the citizens who had attended to bid him farewell.