SOLDIER OR POLITICIAN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 12

SOLDIER OR POLITICIAN.

THE PEAR GE-MONA SH CONTROVERSY.

A lively discussion arose in Australia out of the appointment of Senator Pearco to take charge of tho demobilisation of the Australian Imperial Forces. A recent development was a resolution by the Returned Soldiers' League in Brisbane, asking the Seamen's Union not to \york tho steamer by which Mr Pearco was to travel, as more suitable men could be found among tho Forces at Home. General Monatsh, the greatly admired Commander of the Australian Forces, is urgently put forward as the right inan for tho position. in connexion _ with the discussion, tho ''Sydney Sun" recently published the following brief biographies of the two mon:— Senator George Pearce, carpenter and politician, was born- in South Australia in IS7O. He became by trade a carpenter and joiner. In 1892 ho went to West Australia, and gave up the work of an artisan -lor that of political organisation in the Labour movement.

In 1901 Pearco became one of tlio original Labour Senators. He has been returned to the Senate at each successive election, usually at tho head of the poll. In 1907-S he was Chairman jjf Committees in the Senate. Then lie became Minister for Defence, and has been Minister for Defence frequently. He replaced Senator Milieu in this portfolio when Liberals were beaten in the elections of 1914, and carried the portfolio into tho National Ministry under the leadership of Mr Hughes. Lieutenant-Genernl Sir John Monasli, K.C.8., 8.A.. M.C.E., L.L.8., engineer and soldier. Born in Melbourne, in 1865. was dux of the Scotch College when ht*' was 17. At tho Melbourne University he graduated in arts, engineering, and law, and won the highest prizes open to engineering students. s Practising engineering, ho reached the head of his profession, especial!*- in railway, bridge, and rond construction; and specialised in reinforced concrete, he led Australian engineering. Mnnasli joined the .Australia" _Citizen Forces as a lieutenant in 18S7. He took a brigade to- Gallivoli Inndinc, and vsis there till the evacuation. Tlio ret of his life is more recent. He is known to he one of the great geuerals of the world.