SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21018, 6 May 1930, Page 13

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

APPRECIATION IN BRISTOL. MR H.L. RTSELEY’S TRIBUTE. ■ * i' y 1 ' , (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 27. The Journal of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce for March ’ contains a warm appreciation of the. late Hon. Sir Thomas : Mackenzie, who was an Honorary Freeman; of >the City and County of Bristol Sir Thomas’s associations with Bristol began id the autumn of 1909, when he, as Minister of Commerce; and offices allied thereto in the Parliament of New Zealand, personally conducted a party of delegates attending the' Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, then being held at Sydney, who were making a tour of New Zealand. - He was accompanied by several Ministers of State, who, following the excellent example of their chief, did all in their power .to educate their guests in the wonderful possibilities of New Zealand’s future, which they said might result from , a well-devised scheme of development. Then, shortly after his appointment as High Commissioner in 1912,' Sir Thomas paid a visit to Bristol, and made a close inspection of the city docks, as well as those at Avonmouth and Portishead. He was much interested in the excellent arrangements at Avonmouth for the handling of frozen produce, stating he was to led to expect much from what he had heard, but what he ha4'seen greatly exceeded his anticipations. From that time up-to his death, in season, nut. never out of season, ha tired not in promoting the best interests of Bristol in making it the principal British ■ port of his Dominion. . . 1 . He liked the* place; he loved the people, and said that, if ever he came to live permanently in England, Bristol would bs the place of his selection. The Journal concludes: “The news of his death caused great regret in Bristol, he was much loved, and the Bristol Chamber ot Commerce will no doubt make some fitting acknowledgment to his family of their sense of the loss they suffer by his death. One word more-—the example .of Sir Thomas Mackenzie in devoting his time and energies in promoting the development of i his Dominion surely suggests the powers for good which may be exercised by the High Commissioners and Agentsgeneral in London representing the overseas dominions in looking for and discovering new trade routes from their respective countries to British ports, offering facilities such as Bristol enjoys with New Zealand. Whether these gentlemen are instructed by their Governments to make such discoveries or whether it is left to their own initiative it matters not, but one thing is certain, what is wanted is more men of Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s type and with intelligence, which may be expected, trade will - be fostered and a much desired development would follow. We may assure all concerned that the most hearty co-operation would be given by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, as may be required.” The writer of this appreciation was Mr Henry L, Riscley, a past president of the Bristol Incorporated Chamber,of Commerce and Shipping, and a keen advocate of. direct trade between the dominions and Avonmouth.