SIR JAMES ALLEN

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 31

SIR JAMES ALLEN

HIS PENDING DEPARTURE. LONDON, July 8 Unstinted appreciation of Sir James Allen’s services was expressed at the British Empire League’s luncheon, a. which he was the guest. Representatives of all sections of public life were present, including Mr L. S. Amery (chairman), the Earl of Stradbroke, Viscount Chelmsford, Viscount Burnham, Viscount Cecil, the Earl of Liverpool, Lord Eramott, Lord SSouthborough, the High Commissioners and Agents-Generals and Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, and Sir A. Steel-Maitland. Mr Amery expressed the opinion that the personnel of the gathering, representing London’s busiest men, was in itself a gr j personal and public tribute to a man who before, during, and since the war had rendered the highest service to New Zealand and the Empire. His great work as Minister of Defence had enabled New Zc ’.and ’ > discharge her war-time responsibility. Subsequently he had rendered the highest service in shaping public opinion towards a new conception of Empire partnership aiming at common welfare and prosperity. In London Sir James Allen’s personality had strengthened the position of the High Commissioner’s Office, which was destined to play a more important part within the framework of the Empire’s Constitution. His services to the League of Nations were great, but 1. greatest work was for the beneh of the League of the British Empire, which was not only an instrument of peace, but, a great unit seeking the benefit of all concerned. He had succeedcJ in translating New Zealand’s spirit to Britain. When he returned to New Zealand he would help to translate to his countrymen the spirit of Britain, which was steadily emerging from all its difficulties. Sir Janies Alien was loudly applauded when he acknowledged the tribute. He said that he never passed the statute of Captain Cook in the Admiralty Arch without feeling the inspiration of the pioneers of Empire. While appreciating all (he work done for disarmament, he' had been disturbed from time to time when he considered the question of the defence of Australia and New Zealand. The fact that a minefield was laid in Cook Strait by a war-time raider emphasised the necessity for foreseeing and preparing against what might happen 20, 30, or 40 years hence. The Washington Pact had limited the construction of battleships, but he was more concerned with the 10,000-ton cruisers, as the Empire had more oeean communication than other countries. It was vital that any future conference, in fixing a one-Power standard, should adopt the standard of comparison with Britain, and not with the whole Empire. Mr Amery, in responding to the toast of his health, reminded the gathering that it was the anniversay of Mr Joseph Chamberlain’s birth. He expressed the opinion that Mr Chamberlain was not oniv a great administrator, but the first statesman far-sighted enough to realise the need for a policy of closer Empire unity, which ultimately must prevail in economics as well as in other directions; otherwise there would be disaster.