IMPERIAL INSTITUTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 October 1922, Page 5

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE

RECEPTION BY SIR JAMES ALLEN PRESENTATION TO SIR FRANCIS BELL (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Oct. 13. Sir James and Rady Allen tendered a reception to a thousand members of the Imperial Institute, including several Imperial Ministers, many New Zealanders, the High Commissioners, Agents-General. The Prince of Wales presented Sir F. Bell with a casket in commemoration of his ten gears’ service.as leader of the Legislative Council. . he Prince of Wales received a hearty ovation. He recalled his grandfather’s interest in the Imperial Institute, which lie Imped would be of the, greatest assistance to all the Dominions. ' The gathering recalled very pleasantly many happy days spent in New Zealand during his Dominions’ tour —days which ho could never forget. It was a pleasure to honour Sir P. Bell to whom he was specially grateful because h© organised the splendid month spent in New Zealand. The Prince of Wales referred appreciatively to the outstanding achievements of Sir F. Bell’s legal and political career. It was a wonderful record of public service. He concluded by wishing Sir P. Bell a pleasant holiday. Sir F. Bell, replying, commented on the patriotism of the Legislative Council in war time, sinking partisanship and co-operating for the ntcrests of New Zealand and the Empre. Non-partisan-ship was continuing, during post-war reconstruction. He _ pointed out the success of the repatriation scheme. Soldiers had already repaid half of the monetary advance'. The failures amounted only to two per cent. He eulogised the Prince of Wales’s .services to the Empire and emphasised New Zealand’s loyaltv to the Crown and devotion and respect for the Royal House, which they claimed was as much theirs as England’s.