SIR JAMES ALLEN

Evening Star, Issue 17333, 22 April 1920, Page 10

SIR JAMES ALLEN

FARE.VELL VISIT TO OTAGO. Sir James Allen, accompanied by his secretary (Mr G. F. Dixon), reached Dunedin from Christ-church by the first express last evening. He was met at the station by the Mayor (Mr W. Begg), Messrs C. E. Statham and E. Kellett, M.P.s, the Rev. Dr Cameron (Ohancellor of Otago University), Colonel T. W. M'Donald! (O.C. district), and several councillors and other, prominent cjtizens. In the evening Sir James, who is making a brief farewell visit to Otago before leaving for London to take over the duties of High Commissioner for New Zealand,, was entertained by the members of the Fernhill Club. "To-day Sir James was the guest of the Otago Expansion League at a luncheon at -the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, and: immediately afterwards he motored to Milton, where a eocial is to be tendered him by .the citizens. He will spend the night "at Milton, and will leave at 8.30 to-morrow morning by motor for Lawrence, where he will be entertained at morning tea between 10 and 11 o'clock. From .there ha will go to Kaitangata to a complimentary luncheon, and will return to Dunedin in time to attend the citizens' farewell function that has been arranged for him in the evening. , On Saturday he will proceed by the first express to Oamaru. there to attend a citizens' farewell and to present the Scott Memorial Prize at the Waitaki Boys' High School. He will return to Dunedin at night by the .second express.

On Monday Sir James -will attend the opening of the new Home Science building at the Otago University, and on Tuesday he will leave to join the Corintbic, which is expected to sail from Wellington on the j 29th or 30th inst. I FARMERS' APRECIATION. The North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday imanimfiualy decided to congratulate Sir James Allen op hia_ appointment as High Commissioner, whilst regretting the loss sustained' bv tho Dominion of his services as a Cabinet JiTmi3ter. Mr W. T. Lill said Sir James had had a hard row to hoe, and had hoed-it fairiy well. Sir James was a conscientious man, who had tried to do the fair and just thing. Mr W. A. Banks said the highest compliment paid to a public man he had ever heard was paid by the Hon. W. D. S. Mac-Donald' at Kaikoura, when he said that Sir James Allen, as Defence Minister, had made fewer mistakes than any Defence Minister in the Empire. That was a great compliment from a political opponent. Mr D. Jones, M.P., said that at an afternoon tea given on Tuesday by the Canterbury members of Parliament to Sir James Allen it was stated that Sir James was the first High Commissioner who could be said to be representative of both parties in Parliament, and that he could £o Home confident of possessing the full support of both sides of the Ho\ise. That was a striking testimony respecting a man like Sir James, who had been in politics for 30 voars.