NEW ZEALAND CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1519, 15 August 1912, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND CLUB.

HIGH COMMISSIONER ENTERTAINED. Mr. A. R. Atkinson presided at the luncheon given by the New Zealand Club yesterday at: the Y.M.C.A. in honour of the new High Commissioner (the Hon. T. Mackenzie). Mr. Atkinson extended the congratulations of the club to Mr. Mackenzie on his appointment as High Commissioner, and he should also say that he congratulated the country on the fact that he had been appointed* The appointment did credit to tho Government, and when Mr. Mackenzie got to London the speaker was sure he would do credit to the Dominion. His experience as Prime Minister had k-en brief but eventful, in which regard he could very well ynoto the hymn, "Brief Life was hers his Portion." (Laughter.) Still Uk; manner in which he conducted himselt, and tho way in which ho faced thn inevitable, did'credit to him as im Englishman. (Applause.) Ho had a lii-t----elass knowledge of tho country, its products, and its mjuircmonts. 'He would, too, be able to refute some of thti lies (hat were circulated nt Homo which did not seem to lie taken up by (lio press here. One statement which he had seen in an English paper wqs to the effect that 100 men had stormed the military barracks here in their indignation against (he defence laws. That was (he sort of stuff which was going round, and the sort of harmful lies which Mr. Mackenzie could refute when he got to London. (Applause.)

Jlr. Mackenzie said lis owed them the deepest thanks for (he honour tliey had dono him. Ho did not know he was such an important person, and would not have known it hut for the persistence of the club's secretory. Ho could assure them that it would be his endeavour to ilo his vory best to put the altitude of the Dominion before the people of the Old Country, ond thut !New Zealanders, with the exception of a very tiny minoriiv, were prepared to train nnd defend this fine country of theirs. They, too, should do all they could to fill up the country, in order that (hoy might have plenty of peoplo to develop it, aud also to defend it from aDy marauding- Power which might wish to have a share of it. Referring to the chairman's remarks about the brevity of his term of office as Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie said that anyono who passed through the ordeal knew the strcnuousness demanded by (he position. He knew the stremiftusness of his old chief (at his right hand), and was sure that the change had brfiughfc with it a feeling of relief. He hoped that the high traditions of New Zealand's Parliament would always bo maintained, whether they were beaten or not. (Applause.)In once more reiterating his thanks for the cordial reception accorded him, Mr. Mackenzie said (hat they must not expect too uiuch. London was a great city —changes 1 were made very slowly, if matters did movo slowly, they must remember, that it would. not be for tho want of hard and earnest work, but because changes were brought about so slowly in the Old Country. 110 hoped that if any of those present, visited London, (hey would call at the High Cominissinner's Oll'ire. If-(hey did they could be sure of a right warm Xew Zealand welcome from him. (Applause.) Kir Joseph Ward said lie wished to join willi Mr. Atkinson in eoiigr.ilulatins: Mr. Mackenzie on his appointment. It was good (o be at a pest where there were no part}' politics—lie wonld like to remain in such a place for ever. He hoped (hat Mr. Mackenzie would do as well as the people Of Zenlanrl hopnl he would.