IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 14 October 1922, Page 7

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

.^RECEPTION BY SIR JAMES AND

LADY ALLEN,

rPEESENTATION TO SIS FEANCIS

BELL.

BY CABLE—PEESB ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

LONDON, Oct. 13. r Sir James and Lady Allen tendered a reception to a thousand members of the Imperial Institute, including several. Imperial Ministers, many New Zealaaiders, 3ligh Commissioners and Agents-General.

The Prin«e sS. Wales presented Sir IPraneis Bell with a casket commemorating his ten years' service as leader of the Legislative Council.

The Prince, jscho received a hearty ovation, recalled his grandfather 's interest in the Imperial Institute, which 3ie hoped would be of the greatest assistance, to all the Dominions.

"The gathering," said the Prince, '*'recalls very pleasantly the many Ehappy days lispent in New Zealand -SuringimyjDominions' tour, days which '51 can never It is a pleasure ito honour Sir -Francis Bell, to whom I -.-am--specially . grateful, because he orrganised the splendid month I- spent in -New Zealand." -

The. Prince of "Wales referred "apprevciatively to the outstanding aehieve;ments of-:Sir Eraneis Bell's legal and political career, .remarking that it was «a wonderful record of public service. He concluded by wishing Sir Francis IBell a pleasant holiday. 'Sir I Francis Bell, replying, commended the patriotism of the Legislative Council in war time, sinking partisanship and co-operating in the interests of New Zealand and the Empire, and this non-partisanship was continuing during the post-war reconstruction. He pointed out the success of the repatriation scheme for soldiers, who had already repaid half of the monetary advances, while the failures amounted only to 2 per cent. He eulogised the iPrinee of Wales' services to the Empire, and -emphasised New Zealand's ''/loyalty'to-the ■'•Crown.- and its devotion and respect for the Eoyal House, which -they claimed was as much theirs as .!Englaiid.is.