Sir James and the “Big Guns.”

The late Sir James Carroll made but few trips outside his native land. Only on the occasion of the inauguration of the Commonwealth, when he accompanied Mr. Seddon to the celebrations, did he pay a lengthy visit to Australia and he had a great reception from its people. In 1918 he was selected as one of the members on the Liberal side to join the Parliamentary party to visit the Western battle-fronts in France and Belgium. On his return he expressed the utmost delight in connection with the trip and he always retained most pleasant memories of the splendid treatment accorded the party, both in England and in France. Of the British statesman of that day the one who impressed him most was Mr. Bonar Law, whom he described as most earnest and most direct in debate. Mr. Bonar Law, indeed, appealed to him as being the strongest man he had ever had the pleasure of listening to. Mr. Asquith, then Prime Minister, attended only one of the many important functions tendered in honor of the party. The occasion was a banquet at the Giuldhall, when 1500 scions of the British race were présent. In his address Mr. Asquith said that his main object in being present was to give the visitors a message to take back overseas as to how England was faring in the great fight. Sir James was one of the visitors selected to reply, and, referring to Mr. Asquith's remark, he slyly said that it would be regarded as very good of him to give them such a message, but he was afraid the visitors had formed their own impressions and would take back a message of their own! Mr Asquith, after the gathering, went along to him and told him that he realised that he (Sir James) was perfectly right. On the occasion of another important banquet Mr. Lloyd George, addressing the visitors, said: “You, who have climbed up page break page 181 from the Antipodes to the cradle of the race …” Again Sir Jas. was amongst those who were chosen to reply for the party, and he caused much amusement by reminding Mr Lloyd George that it was better to climb up than to climb down! The presence of Sir James in the party did much to cheer the Maori soldiers in France and on leave in Britain.