SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1920, Page 5

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

APPRECIATION OP SERVICES. •Bar vb —Prtu Aim—CopyricM. London, June 10. Ttow hundred guests, representatives of potftiiiSal, financial, and commercial ini' terests, attended the farewell banquet to Sir Thttmas Mackenzie at the Miuislon Hotuejinchiding the Lord Mayor, Lords Beading, Emmott, Islington, Hyth, ifellieoe, VVhitburgh, Sir lan High Goauniisloners, and MHtn. watt and Theodore, Sir James Jfffli, Vr. Pember Beeves, and Sir Westftv ferceval. Lord Milner, proposing the toast of SSr'T. Mackenzie's health,, said he was * tun so various that he seemea to be •11 mankind's epitome. . With the exception of a character in one of Gilbert and-ffoUivaa's plays, no man seemed to Mackenzie's activities. T?iife were few of then in nmgland who had not trembled when they knew Bir T. Mafikentie was coming to complain about the treatment of New Zealand industries. However vigorous in toMtMlts on them in Kew Zealand's intetwU there was never any soreness In the controversy. He was that best kind of diplomat who was always welcome. Lord Milner specially eulogised Sir T. Mackenzie's war services. They could heve* fofget the Dominion's response to the Mother Country. He quoted Geneta) Godley who, expressing regret at hU absence through illness, said: "We totiM always frty on Sir T. Mackenzie for every assistance to our soldiers. In hhn alt felt they had a good friend." TjOpl Milner concluded that Sir T. Mtckenfcie had been a worthy representatfte of his Dominion, and they beMtVed they had not seen the end of his. pttblis activities. He hoped he would csetdte them in England. Sir Thomas Perley (Canada), Mr. Fisher (Australia) and Pir .Tames Mills (New Zealand) supported the toast. Sir Thos. Mackenzie, replying, said the war had disclosed the Empire's soul and showed her Allies and her enemies that It was impossible to touch one part Without incurring the resistance of the whole. The Empire had never had such an opportunity as with the ooffling of peace, if they could get. people to settle down to work. He thought much of the unrest was caused by profiteering, from which even the Government had bot been free. The greatest consideration of the moment was that Britain's toiiejr Was to be towards the oveweaft fottrifcions. Were they to continue to ipeji their doors to their enemies f Should those of tkem who had stood ihonlder to shoulder receive no greater issistance than enemies who would have reduced theta to slavery if they had won? They must not debate free bade or proteotion, consider the interests of the countries constituting the Empire tod fntae latre to give advantages to tfcefr own people. He had great hopes Droll the Department of Overseas Trade If it was efficiently officered. Unfortunately, in a department controlled by Government, the advisers were inexperienced. He advocated a system of adriiaty councils, with committees acquainted with overseas requirements afid conditions and familiar with trade in Britain, fie congratulated the Domini&ft OH Lord Jellicoe's appointment. His advice Would be invalualble on defence. At all costs they should maintain a n*ty and army equal to Imperial reipeuibilities. Emigration tnust also m viewed from an Empire standpoint. It attit feet be a matter of conflict between tin Motherland and Dominions.

Lard tthner presented an influentially item and illuminated address to Sir T. tuitkenaie, testifying to his valuable lefvice* to New Zealand and the Empire throughout the War. He also alluded to tilt manner in which Sir T. Mackentit ttd his Wife Assisted the New Zealand Wounded, which had created an endiififig memorial in their hearts. He paid a tribute to his marked ability on tire Datdatielles Commission, giving to itt practical and effective rtitaltj.—Aus.«lf.Z. Cable Assn.