SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17894, 14 June 1920, Page 9

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

TRIBUTES TO HIS WORTH AND HIS WORK. LONDON, June 10. Thr*e hundred guests, representative of political, financial and commercial interests, attended a farewell banquet to Sir Thomas Mackenzie, at the Mansion Hcuse, including the Lord Mayor, Lords Reading, Sydenham, Emmott, Islington, Blyth, Jellicoe. Whitburgh, Sir lan Hamilton, the High Commissioners and Agents-General of other Dominions, and Messrs Watt, Theodore, Sir Jmes Mills, Mr Pember Reeves, and Sir W. B. Percival. Lord Milner, in proposing the toast of Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s health, said ‘he was a man so various that he seemed to be all of mankind’s epitome. With the exception of a certain character in one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s plays, no man seemed to equal Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s activities. “There are few of us in this country who have not trembled when we knew Mackenzie was coming to complain about the treatment of New Zealand industries, there was never any soreness in the controversy.’' He was that best kind of diplomat who was always welcome. Lord Milner specially eulogised Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s war services. “We can never forget the Dominions’ response to t’he Mother Country,” he said, and went on to quote General Godley who, in expresing resgret at his absence through illness, said, “We could always rely on Sir Thomas Mackenzie for every assistance to our soldiers. In him all felt they had a good friend.” Lord Milner concluded that Sir Thomas Mackenzie had been a worth* representative of his Dominion. He believed we had not yet seen the end of 'his public activities, and hoped he would exercise them in England. Sir George Perley, Mr Fisher and Sir James Milks supported the toast. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, replying, said the war had disclosed the Empire’s soul, and shown the Allies and their enemies that it was impossible to touch one part without incurring the resistance of the whole. With the coming of peace, the Empire never had a better opportunity, if we g(T the people to settle down to work. He thought much unrest was caused by profiteering, from which even the Government had not been free. The greatest consideration of the moment was: What is this country’s policy to "be towards the Overseas Dominions? Are we to continue to open our doors to our enemies? Shall those of us who ctood shoulder to shoulder receive no greater assistance than the enemies who would have reduced us to slavery if they had won. We must not debate Free Trade or Protection, but consider the interests of the countries constituting the Empire, and frame laws to give advantages to our own people. Ho had great Lopes from the Depart menu of Overseas Trade, if it was efficiently officered. Unfortunately, in the Department controlled by the Government, the advisers were inexperienced. He advocated a system of Advisory Councils, with committees acquainted with Overseas requirements and conditions, and familiar with trade in Britain. He congratulated the Dominion of New Zealand over Lord Jellicoe’s appointment. His advice would be invaluable on defence. At all costs we should maintain a Navy and Army equal to our Imperial responsibility. Emigration must also be viewed from an Empire standpoint, and must not. be a matter of conflict between the Motherland and the Dominions. Lord Milner presented an influentially signed and illuminated address to Sir Thomas Mackenzie, testifying to h’s valuable sendees to New Zealand and the Empire, throughout the war. He also alluded to the manner in which Sir Thomas Mackenzie and his wile had assisted the New Zealand wounded, which had created an enduring memorial iu their hearts, and paid a tribute to his marked ability on the Dardanelles Commission. giving to its deliberations practical and effective results.