SIR JAMES ALLEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12284, 5 April 1918, Page 3

SIR JAMES ALLEN.

A CITIZENS' TRIBUTE. Gift of Illuminated Album. Laafc evening, at Warner's Hotel, Sir Joßses Allen, Minister of Defence, was Hi® recipient oi‘ an illuminated album, presented to him by oilmens of ChristoSiurch in recognition of his services (faring his ten months' term of the office of Acting-Prime MinisterThe gathering included the -Mayor (Mr H. Holland) and Messrs R. Bishop, AV. H, Triggs, John Anderson, H. F. AVigrafl, William Recce, A. E. G. Rhodes and J. W. ILanlnnd, all of whom Were on the executive, and among others present were Colonel Chaffey, Air Andrew Anderson and Air J. Griamond The. Mayor said that it had been the wi*h of many citizens to offer some recognition of the valuable services rendered to tlio State and Empire during ilia ten months in which Sir James Allen wfts Acting-Prime Atiuister in the absonc* of Air Alassey and Sir Joseph Ward bi England. The responsibility had fallen upon his shoulders of bringing intjO operation the compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act, and it was questionable whether any Prime Minister could have had a more arduous duty to perform. (Hear, hear.) The enforcement of such important‘.and drastic reforms was sure to bring about / hostility and criticism, but, fortunately, it was small, and this was due 10 the able manner in which Sir James had administered the Act. To those who had sons at the front, his determination to send proper reinforcements was a matter for great satisfaction. It had been said that too many men were being sent away, but recent happenings had corrected that impressionSir James had always been courteous and kind to the bereaved, and his sincere and fatherly sympathy had helped many to bear tip under their loss. r J be Mayor, before handing the album to Sir James Allen, read the address it contained, explaining that it had been intended in the first place to include signatures of all .subscribers, but this find been impracticable, owing to the wide distances between the country subscribers, and the committee had therefore signed the album on their behalf. It contained besides a portrait of Sir James, various views of Christchurch, which it , was hoped, would bring hack pleasant memories. The text of the address is as .‘oh lows: —• To Colonel the Honourable Sir James Allen, jv.C.B., V .D., M.P., Minister of Defence, Aew Zealand. Acting-Prime Minister of the Dominion from the 84th August, 1916, to 21th June, 1917. Shi Ye, on behalf of the subscribers in tac provincial district of Canterbury, desire to cxpreis our high appreciation of your gerV . ICCS » ct i‘>B-Prime Minister and head of the National Government of New Zealand during the absence in England of tho Prime Munster (the Right Honourable AV. F. Massey) and the Minister of Finance (tho Right Honourable Sir Joseph Ward, Bt., P.C., K. on on important mission of State. #c tm? in that capacity you. were called upon to face problems in connection with th» great war, requiring judgment and statesmanship for their solution, and to carry a heavy burden of responsibility. Some of us may differ in matters of domestic politics, but we are united in our desire to pay a tribute to tho ardent devotion to the Empire and the courage and singleness of purpose with which you have discharged tho duties of your high office. “ J V fl,„ de r r t * to congratulate you " '! 13t ' ncUou recently conferred upon >ou by bis Majesty the King, and to express mu, emcere hope that you may be spared many years to enjoy your honours, and to do further service to the State. lefm, I*™ 1 *™ th ® honoui , to Ascribe ourR- C. BISHOP. JOHN ANDERSON. W H. TRIGGS. HENRY F, AVIGRAM. WILLIAM REECE. ARTHUR E. G. RHODES. JOHN W. BEANLAND H. HOLLAND. HY. R. SMITH. Mr James Allen, in thanking tlm committee tor the gift, said tine had always found a kind and helping innd in the Mayor of Christchurch in „ f S t ° f difficulty and he was verv gi ateful for it. He was grateful‘for vie kind words of congratulation in the address upon the honour that his Majesty the King had conferred upon mm. Any work ho had done for his own country or the Empire had been dime willingly, and be felt that he was only doing his share iu the great struggle upon which all were onmio-ed He was grateful for good health “and strength so far to see the thing through. He was especially thankful to the donors because-anv Minister of the Crown had a difficult position to till, and must mu contrary to the feelings an 1 opinions of somebody. To the best of his ability he had tried to see the right road, and follow it. If ho had given offence he had dope so unintentionally. The gift of the album inspired him with confidence- He would Value it all his life, as a m,e-

mento of the most troubled time through which the Empire and New Zealand had had to pass. He ivis grateful to think that in the matter o\ the Military Service Act the people ol New Zealand were sound at the heart (hear, hear), and this had made it comparatively easy to bring the Act into operation. It could not have been done but for the loyalty of the people themselves, and there had been no greater comfort to him than tho fact that the people were desirous of dohm their duty, and the backing received from nearly the whole of New Zealand was very gratifying, and was an evidence of immense possibilities for the Dominion in the future. He looked to the results of the war as a grca ( 't asset for Now Zealand. The Dominion had earned a good name, and, he believed, would maintain it to the end of the war. The men had done nobly, and had made groat sacrifices, and if he had appeared sympathetic it was only what ho felt. There were those present who had had their losses. Men had died nobly in the cause of iibertv and freedom, and while tho bereaved ones might 'mourn tho loss, and wish that it had been otherwise, they had the bright hope that the sacrifices had not been in vain.