SIR JAMES ALLEN DEAD

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 257, 29 July 1942, Page 6

SIR JAMES ALLEN DEAD

Notable N.Z. Statesman FORMER WAR MINISTER & HIGH COMMISSIONER ' The death of Sir James Allen, G.C.M.G., K.C.8., M.L.C., who was Minister of Defence in the last war and later New Zealand High Commissioner iu London, is announced in a Press Association telegram from Dunedin. He was in his eighty-seventh year. Sir James Allen was one of the most notable figures iu the political life of this country. He was born in South Australia in 185-5, and when little more than a year old was brought to New Zealand by his parents. He was educated at Clifton and St. John’s College, Cambridge, and later studied at the Royal School of Mines in London. Returning to New Zealand, he became prominent in the public eye when he was elected to the House of Representatives for Dunedin East in 1887. He held this seat for 13 years, and subsequently represented Bruce for 29 years. He was one of the foremost and most able assosiates of Mr. Massey, and when Mr. Massey became Prime Minister in 1912 Sir Janies Allen became Minister of Finance, Defence and Education. He was holding these portfolios when the Great War began in 1914. In 1915 it became apparent: that the duties of the Defence Minister were far too onerous' to be shared with other portfolios, and a separate Ministry of Defence was formed, with Sir James Allen in charge of it.

lie retained that post till 1920, when lie went to London as High Commissioner, and it was largely due to his efforts that the New Zealand Forces came to be recognized as one of the most efficient of any of the Dominion armies. Even his critics had to admit the worth of his war policy and to accord him full credit for his successful handling of a most difficult task ns "War Minister. His policy gave the Dominion throughout the war its full complement of men, and at the close of hostilities the N.Z.E.F. was still at its full fighting strength, when many other British divisions were unable to fill , the increasing gaps. Sir James Alien's tasks covered the repatriation, period also, and if there was one feature outstanding about his work in this respect it was his humane regard for those who suffered disablement, and those who had lost those upon whom they were dependent. One of his own sons was killed in action.

Sir James Alien was responsible for New Zealand’s naval policy, and was identified with the beginning of the New Zealand Air Force.

During the absence of Mr. Massey in England both before and after the war Sir James acted as Prime Minister, and still further distinguished himself in that position. He was knighted in 1917, and he held the post of High Commissioner for six years. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1927 on his return from London, and his appointment was regarded on all sides as thoroughly well deserved.

Sir James had a notable association with the University of Otago, which in 1937 honoured his 50 years’ membership of the University Council. He occupied the position of Vice-Chancellor from 1903 to 1909, and was Chancellor till 1912. It was said of him at that time that whatever he touched he ornamented. Sir James was married in 1877, and in 1937 he and Lady Allen celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, on the occasion of which they received a congratulatory cable from Their Majesties the King and Queen. Lady Allen died several years ago.

ACTING PRIME MINISTER’S TRIBUTE

A tribute to the life and work of the late Sir James Allen was paid by the ActingPrime Minister, Mr. Sullivan, yesterday. "The passing of Sir James Allen brings to a close a most distinguished and useful career in the service of his country,” he said. "In the days of the Liberal regime lie carried the principal burden of financial criticism of the Government then in office, and with the coming of the Great War it fell to his lot to organize the dispatch of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force, a task to which he gave himself with extraordinary devotion and ability. In the post-war days he was New Zealand High Commissioner iu London and represented this country on many occasions ou the Council.of the League of Nations, and played a large and distinguished part in the development of that organization. "His whole life was full of intense activity, and there have been few more devoted to their public duty than was Sir James Allen. On behalf of the Government and the War Administration I desire to tender our respectful sympathy I to his relatives, a sympathy intensified by appreciation of his work for New Zealand. ;