SIR JAMES ALLEN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 185, 1 May 1920, Page 9

SIR JAMES ALLEN

RETURNED SOLDIERS SAY FAREWELL GATHERING AT THE CLUB HOUSE •- • i A pleasant littlegathcring was held in the returned soldiers' clubhouse yesterday evening, when opportunity was taken by members'of the Wellington. Returned Soldiers'. Association to bid farewell to Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, who is proceeding to Great Britain to assume the duties of High Commissioner. Mv. W. Perry, chairman of tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, ijaid returned soldiers were sorry that Sir James Men was leaving New Zealand, but they were pleased that lie had been appointed High Commissioner. Sir James Allen had been a- much-abused man during the war, but there was no one who. had performed. greater servico on behalf of New Zealand. (Applause.) The "Diggers" were grateful to Sir James Allen for what ho had done in their behalf, and they wished him every miccess. in his new . sphere, (Applause.) Though when-Sir James Allen made up his mind he took a "power of shifting," like the New Zealand Division, he generally succeeded in reaching his tbjeotivo. (Applause.) On the call of Mr. Perry, the gathering gave three cheers for Sir' James Allen, and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr. A, B. Sievwright, deputy-chairman of the W.R.S.A., remarked that although returned soldiers had often had occasion to,entertain grievances against Sir James Allen, yet they could, not but admire his determination to see" a thing through. (Applause.) During tho whole course of the war the New Zealand, Division was always adequately reinforced, ana Sir James Allen'was the man upon whom the organisation of the Dominion depended. He had performed a great work in seeing that sufficent men were always sent forwnrd to fill the depleted ranks. In his new spliere Sir James Allen would be abl<> to do nmch in linking the various component parts'of the Empire together. Sir James JAllen had made mistakes, but he would leave New Zealand with the heartfelt g°°d wishes of the returned soldiers behind him. (Applause.) Glie speaker concluded by appealing to Sir James Allen to do his utmost, for the good of , those New Zealand soldiers who had remained in the United Kingdom.

•Mr. John I. Fox said ihat Sir James Allen had always evinced an interest in the Returned Soldiers' Association. They had fought him,' and he had fought them in return a. good many times, but whenever they had any filing to say j the returhed men could always 6ee Sir James Allen, for Ci'j/had freeaccess to his office, and there had been no occasion to rush 'into to ventilate their grievances. Sir James Allen was going to London after doing distinguished work in New "Zealand, and when he returned from his new duties Ke could be assured of. a neiii'ty and warm welcome from tne returned soldiers. (Applause.) • Mr.i A. Gray, K.C., on. behalf of the Clubhouse Society, thanked Sir Jamps Allen ■ for the very, practical sympathy liei had evidenced in the work of the society. Sir- Jqmes .Allen had always ' recognised the good that - could coino lrom such clubs, and he was ever ready with his help. The whole country was grateful ,to Sir Jam'cs Allen for what he had done during'the war. On- behalf of the society, Mr. Gray, wished Sir James Allen "God speed and prosperity in his new sphere." (Applause.) Sir James Allen, who was received with loud applause, said there was no farewell of which■> ho would hold snch pleasant recollections as that at which, he' was being honoured. Although he had differed from the returned soldiers at times,,he was always sympathetic to the Returned Soldiers' Association. (ApIn the loss of his. own son on Gallipoli—a blow which he would feel all his life—lie had perhaps been led to look more sympathetically ,on the aims of the returned men. He would do his best for the returned men in London.''. Ni;w Zealand had done its duty during the war, but great thanks were duetto the officers of the Defence' They wefe always able to get sufficient reinforcements' for the N.Z.E.F. because ■the public rallied to the call for mor6 men. He wished to thank New Zealand's soldiers for wliat they had done, and. for always keeping New Zealand's name high and; respected. He would do his best to .raise still higher the es-tee-i in which New Zealand was - held. There were tremendous possibilities for Rood ; in : returned soldiers' associations if their members would only stand .together. He appealed to all returned men tc do what, they could to keep the name ■ of the Dominion high, and to abolish all class distinctions. ■ The Returned Soldiers' Association could do a great deal of good for the country, but that end could _ only be i acliieved by everyone recognising their duties to each o'-heT. • Sir James Allen concluded be remarking that he went away feeling happy 'that the Returned Soldiers' Association had bidden him fare.well in such kimllv terms. He wished the Returned .Soldiers* Association success,' and trusted that they would always do their best for tho prosperity -of their, land. (Applause.) ■