M’S.P. FOR SERVICE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 9

M’S.P. FOR SERVICE

FAREWELL BY HOUSE MAJOR ALLEN AND CAPTAIN LYON DISTINGUISHED FAMILY RECORD (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, WednesdayTwo members of the House, of Representatives who are also officers jn the New Zealand military forces, Major J. M. Allen, Opposition member for Hauraki, and Captain W. J. Lyon, Government member for Waitemata, were farewelled by their colleagues

in Parliament at a combined function held immediately after the House rose for the dinner adjournment tonight. Both officers are about to leave for camp.

The majority of members of tne House assembled for the occasion and a series of brief addresses was made, the speakers including the actingPrime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser; the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F.

Jones; the Speaker, the Hon. W. E. Barnard; the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mr J. A. Lee. The healths of the two officers were drunk and the speakers wished them well in their military careers. Reference was made to the distinguished military record of members of Major Allen’s family and to the qualities as an officer of Captain Lyon. Both officers made a brief reply. Major Allen mentioning that he was the fifth member of his family to go into uniform in the present crisis. Wartime songs were followed by the first verse of the National Anthem. It is understood that Major Allen will join an infantry regiment at Ngaruawahia, and that Captain Lyon will go to Ngaruawahia with an antiaircraft Lewis gun detachment.