in a number of organisations. Reflecting his long-held interest in the Pacific Islands, which had been stimulated by a number of visits in the course of his political career, he was a prominent member of the Institute of Pacific Relations, whose New Zealand branch he chaired from its formation in 1926 until late 1937. He was active in All Saints' Church, Dunedin and also vice-president of the Bible-in-Schools League, reflecting a cause which he had controversially championed while Minister of Education. On 1 June 1927, Allen was appointed to the Legislative Council, the (now-abolished) upper house of Parliament. The Legislative Council was considerably more sedate than the lower house, and Allen was not overly stressed by its activities. At the end of his first term in 1934, he was reappointed (until 1941). Allen retired from public life in 1938, and died in Dunedin on 28 July 1942. Honours and awards Allen was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1917 New Year Honours, and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1926 New Year Honours. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935. Notes Further reading . Papers presented to Allen and other members of the New Zealand Parliamentary party. . A paper read to the Royal Colonial Institute on 2 November 1920. External links Photo of James Allen addressing Returned Soldiers at Rarotonga, 1919 Image of James Allen's signature 1855 births 1942 deaths Alumni of St John's College, Cambridge Australian emigrants to New Zealand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur New Zealand recipients of the Légion d'honneur Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council New Zealand defence ministers New Zealand education ministers New Zealand MPs for South Island electorates New Zealand finance ministers New Zealand foreign ministers Reform Party (New Zealand) MPs Politicians from Adelaide People educated at Clifton College Permanent Representatives of New Zealand to the League of Nations New Zealand MPs for Dunedin electorates Burials at Dunedin Northern Cemetery High Commissioners of New Zealand to the United Kingdom Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George New Zealand Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath Unsuccessful candidates in the 1890 New Zealand general election 19th-century New Zealand politicians Dunedin