FAREWELL

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 3

FAREWELL

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. COMPLIMENTS ALL ROUND. Members of Parliament were guests of the Hon. T. Mackenzie at luncheon in Bellnmy's yesterday on the eve of his departure for London. Sir Arthur Guinness proposed the health of tho Hon. Thomas Mackenzie,. High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. Mr. T. Mackenzie, he said, had come into Parliament in ISS7 and ho had had a .unique record: he had represented 'five different constituencies. He had also held several and various offices on local governing bodies, and he had been an explorer and a mountaineer in New Zealand, ne had been a Minister of the Crown, too, and-he had made- a special study of agriculture; so that he had equipped himself well for tho position pt High Commissioner. Mr. Mackenzie would have io see .that New Zealand produce. was allowed to go into these European markets which were likely to be opened. He wished Mr. Mackenzie bon voyage and good results for his work in England. . ' . The Hon. T. Mackenzie acknowledged the compliments.offered him. He_ thought it was possible to do more for New Zealand than had been done by any of those who had- preceded him. He said this in no critical spirit, but times were altering. Above all things we needed an active immigration policy; New Zealand needed people for national development noil for ensurin" safety in national defence. He was deeply devoted to, New Zealand and if he could be of servio? to the country and to the people in it he would have'.his full reward.. He hoped ho might-be able to justify the confidence reposed in him, and the kind remarks made concerning him. The Hon. W. F. Mnssey gave tho toast of Sir "Arthur Guinness, and he said he submitted the toast with sreat confidence. Speaking of tho Hon. T. Mackenzie he said farmers in New Zpaland looked to Mr. Mackenzie to provide the I;<>«t market possible for.their produce, nnd they looked to. him also.to send out* the best possible daw of immigrants.. It.would be part of his duty to revise the/administration ,of the. High Commissioner's Office. Mr. Mackenzie had plenty of rnenry and ability and-he would use both' for New Zealand! He again commended the toast of Mr. Speaker. The Hon. the-Speaker responded to tho toast. ' '.'

The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward pronged the health of the Prime Minister. He> said the duties of Minister were trying and arduous, and'if Mr. Massey failed to carry them out it would not bo for lack of endeavour. It would be a churlish individual who wonld not. wish Mr. Massey well in his attempt. He was sure all would join in wishing him success and good health, which last was themo=t imDortant of the lot. ' ,

The TTou. W. F.| Mfis=ey expired his appreciation of the cordial reception given to the toast. He honed' Mr. Mackenzie would have a successful/ term as High Commissioner, and. ho ventured the. suggestion that Sir Joseph Ward and he (neither of whom had over been on any Boyal Coin minion) should be appointed a Commission to go Home and report as to whether the High Commissioner's administration was . efficient or otherwise. (Lauffbter.) He was sure the country could do without both Sir Joseph Ware and himself, especially if both went away together. Whether tney could do without the country was another matter. (Laughter.) . • . The Hon. T. Mackenzie toasted the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, "The Old Chief." as he phrased it. Hs hoped Sir Joseph Ward would in his leisure time out of office 'recover his energies and become again "the old fighting chief." ■ , Sir Joseph Ward; replying, said he had lost his desire for more strenuous political life. He had had "a spell off the chain," and he found it a happy -release. He was not sure that New Zealand could enter upon such,a programme of immigration and advertisement'as the Dominion of Canada and Australia had entered upon. He believed, on the contrary, that our New' Zealand High Commissioners had done their best with the sinews of war that they could control. He was certain the indomitable energy of Mr.

Mackenzie would achieve good result. Before the assembly dispersed "Auld Lang Sync" was sung with proper heartiness.