MOST POPULAR MAN IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 December 1907, Page 3

MOST POPULAR MAN IN AUSTRALIA

MR, BENT SINGS A SONG. " Who is to bo the best, known, man in Australia? " asked the Victorian Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Swinburne), - at tho Hawthorno Sports Ground a week or so ago; when introducing tho Premier to an audience assembled to hear an open-air concert in aid of -tho new Eastern Suburbs Technical 'College. " Tommy Bent," cried tho crowd in answer. _ " And who is the man who works hardest?" asked Mr. Swinburne. "Tommy Bent," again chorussed tho crowd. " Mr. Bent lias done moro for education than any Premier for fifty years," added Mr. Swinburne, "so.lot us give him three chcers." Cheers wore given, and Mr. Bent walked to tho edge of tho 'pint-form and bowed low. Voices: "Give us a song, Tommy," Mr. Bent: " I tell you, you've had a good sixpennyworth here to-night." (Laughter.) "Think of the songs you've heard." (Laughter.) " But if I sang you'd have four times your money's worth." (Laughter.) " Why, Madame Mclba wouldn't bo a patch on it." (Laughter.) Voices: "Give us a song, Tommy, old man." Mr. Bent: " Tho only song I can sing tonight is " (singing in a high treble voice), "'Canada, Canada, oh Canada!'" (Loud laughter.) "Do you know, when I was in London I couldn't find a pound of Australian buttor. It was all colonial, and when I asked what colonial was, all they could say was" (singing in high voice), " ' Canada, Canada, oh Canada!' (Laughter.) "Wo want the produeo of our country to take its placo." Voices: "Give us another song." Mr. Bent (determinedly): " No, no." The crowd sang "For He's a/Jolly Good Fellow," and gave threo tflioors for Mr. B:nt. Tho Premier joined in tho singing, and contributed a " tiger" to the chfiering".