SIR JAMES ALLEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12063, 18 July 1917, Page 6

SIR JAMES ALLEN.

■♦- A CHRISTCHURCH PRESENTATION. COMMITTER AITOINTED. A meeting was held in the hall of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon to consider what steps should be taken to make a presentation to Sir James Allen in recognition of his public services during the absence of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in England.

The Mayor, who presided, said that many public meetings wore being bold in the city, and citizens who wr/.dd have liked to attend werp. unable to do so. He read a number of apologies for absence, including; those from Mr A. Kiiye, chairman of tlu> Lyttolton Harbour Board, Mr "W. Hill, chairman of the Christchurch Drainage Hoard, Mr S. A. Staples, chairman of the Waimairi County Mr V. Horrell, chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and Cblmiol R. 11. Rbodes, M.P. The chairman said that the meeting had no political significance whatever. Sir James Allen had administered the Defence Act with tact, care and deeN f.ion. It was easy to find fault, but no New Zealand Government had had sue|i a time of stress to facp as that faced by the- National Government. It Mas largely owing to Sir James Allen that New Zealand was able to send an expeditionary force to Samoa and fake possession of that country. In the circumstances Sir deserved sonurecognition. He thought that a committee might be appointed to take farther steps. He had been in doubt whether tbe presentation should be a national one or a local one. but he doubted if Otago and Auckland would come in with Canterbury, and thought, that the affair should have a local character. He was convinced that* something should be done. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes moved that those present should lie appointed a general committee, with power to add to its number, to arrange for tho pre-, sentation.

The proposal was opposed by Messrs F. Shackloek, H. Hunter and another speaker, who said that the workers did not "wish to either sign a testimonial to Sir James Allen or s'iibscribe to a present.

Messrs W. Reeee, J. W. Beauland, J. Anderson, A. K. G. Rhodes and other speakers supported the \,vaposa 1. The motion was seconded by Mr W. Xicholls and earned. The following sub-committee was appointed to consider the form of the present, and report to another meeting of the General Committee:—The Hon H. F. "Wigram, M.L.C., ;uid Messrs Rhodes. Rcece, Anderson, Beanland aod W. H. Triggs.