LONDON FAREWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1926, Page 1

LONDON FAREWELL

TO SIR, JAMES ALLEN. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, June S. The New Zealand Dinner here was in the nature of a farewell to- Sir James Allen, who. presided. The Duke of Yolk was the chief guest. Those present included Lord Jellicoe, Mr Amery (Colonial Secretary), Lord Allenby, Lord Eanfurlv, Sir Francis Bell, Sir James Parr, Sir Bruyer-Porter, Sir Gordon Campbell, Sir Edward Cliaytor, Sir Howard Dcguille, Sir Win. Furze, General Godley, Sir lan Hamilton, Sir Thos. Parkinson, Sir Fabian Ware, Mr Pember Reeves, and Archbishop Julius. 'Tlie menu included tolieroa soup and New Zealand trout and passion fruit.-

Sir Jas. Allen read from Air Coates a message expressing New Zealand’s determination to foster Empire unity, after which he said he wished to extend to the Duke and Duchess of York the heartiest invitation to visit New Zealand, assuring them of the warmest reception. If the little Princess accompanied them, she would be welcomed, not only by tlie British, but bv the Maoris, who would immediately adopt her as their own Princess. The Duke of York, in responding, paid a tribute to Sir .las. Allen’s great services to New Zealand not only in London, but at the Geneva conference. His retirement would be deeply regretted in a very wide circle of official and unofficial friends. Now Zealand’s loyalty was unsurpassed anywhere in the Empire. New Zealand was British to the very core, her people possessing a most sterling character. New Zealand was a small country, about the size of Britain, but quantity was not necessarily tho index of quality. Now Zealand deserved tbe title as fully as any of her sister Dominions. He had been wondering whether tho inventors of the Now Zealand Arms had not designed more wisely than they knew. “ It seems to me,” he said, “that the four stars thereon have an inner meaning, one standing for loyalty, the second for virtue, meaning the qualities making a man; tho third for tho country’s enhancing beauty and the fourth for destiny. There cannot ho any looking backward for New Zealand, but steady progress in every sphere of activity. Prosperity will be yours in tlie widest sense.”

Tremendous applause greeted the Duke of York’s announcement, “I hope Sir J. Allen’s invitation may shortly be fulfilled.” Mr Pember Reeves, in proposing tlie toast of “ The Visitors,” particularly referred to Lord Jellicoe and Lord Allenby. He had found throughout New Zealand the excellent effects of Lord Jellicoc’x regime. He considered Lord Jclliooe’s great mistakes were firstly leaving, and secondly taking his family with him.

Lord Allenby, replying, paid a tribute to New Zealand’s unbounded hospitality during bis recent visit. Ho emphasised the country’s natural grandeur, and the inhabitants’ natural physique. lie was sure Their Highnesses would accept the invitation in tbe near future in order to see a Dominion destined to become even greater than Britain.

Lord Jellicoe, in response to calls for a speech, said : “T am confident the Duke and Duchess of York will leave New Zealand with the same sorrow and regret as myself.” Air Amery paid a tribute to Sir J. Allen’s political career. He had done in cal on late work on behalf of the Dominion during bis High Commissionership. JTe added: “There is no foreign nation that would not gain immensely in power, influence and dignity if admitted to the fellowship of the British Empire. There is no nation in the Empire that would not lose immeasurably in moral and material strength, in prosperity, in status and in prestige in the eyes of the world, and in power of influencing throughout tho world if it evacuated its place in the front rank among the nation held by the united peoples of tlie British Crown.”

Sir .T. Allen, in responding, said: “ The Pacific Cable Board dispute lias caused flutters in certain dovecotes, but, patience will entirely dispel them.” Ho added that he was returning sorrowfully, hut lie was confident there was work awaiting him in Now Zealand. He hoped the courtesy extended to him would he extended to his successor,. Tlie day would come when the High Cnmmissioncrship would be regarded in their own Dominion as even more important than it was to-day.