MR. ALLEN BANQUETED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1697, 13 March 1913, Page 5

MR. ALLEN BANQUETED.

IMPERIAL.TRADE RELATIONS. By Teleerarh—Press Association—Coryritcht London, March 11. i The New Zealand High Commissioner (Hon. T. W. Mackenzie) entertained the Hon. James Allen, New Zealand's Minister for Defence, at luncheon. Sir W. C. Buchanan, Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia), Sir Richard Solomon (High Commissioner for South Africa), Sir William Hall-Jones, Lord Blyth, ,Mr. Cathcart Wason, M.P., Dr. Chappie, M.P., and many New Zealanders, were present.

Mr.. Allen, in responding to the toast of "Our Guest," emphasised the valuo of the oversea trade to the Motherland. Without depreciating foreign trade, he thought it was better for tho Motherland to rely on the trade of her own people. There had been a lot of talk about "Empire". .during the last few years; but now was the time to act.' "-He''urged that" prominent political men should visit the overseas Dominions to learn something of the Empire. ' ' Sir Walter Buchanan regretted that there had been little improvement in handling frozen meat during the last twenty years. He admitted that a remedy was difficult to find. , Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for'the'Colonies) proposed Mr. Mackenzie's health, and in doing so said the Government was grateful for Mr. Allen's advice and assistance in defence matters. No Englishmen, he said, could forget New Zealand's part in Empire defence. Ho wished Sir William Hall-Jones bon voyage.