MR.HUGHES IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2727, 23 March 1916, Page 5

MR.HUGHES IN LONDON

VISITS THE"BURDETT-COira SCHOOL GLIMPSE OP HIS EARLY YOUTH By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 21. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes visited the Bur-dott-Coutts School at Westminster, and had an enthusiastic reception, the children cheering. Baroness Surdett-Coutts, in welcoming Mr. Hughes, told the scholars that, as an ordinary boy, probably with less advantages than most others attending the same school, Mr. Hughes went to Australia unaided and friendless. .By indomitable perseveranco he had reached the highest goal of mail's ambition: to become the head of a nation by the nation's choice. His speeches to-day were electrifying the Empire. He was I destined to become a great constructive'force in the Empire. Mr Hughes, in an address to the children, said he had never get a conduct prize. Ho had often sallied out with exercise books in his stockings to protect his shins for a fight with the boys in the neighbouring Wesleyan College. Out of 7,000,q00 people in London, probably 6,000,000 of them had seen a deep-sea. steamer. The sight of the Thames colliers had fired Iris youthful imagination, and he frequently visited the East India Docks. Linally, with a schoolmate-t-Mr. Payne, who was now living close to the Federal Parliament—be decided to go to Australia, a land of wide spaces and glorious sunshine, where there was a chance for everyone. Australia had produced somo great men and fighters' of which she was proud. (Cheers.) He remembered himself as a nervous, white-faced wretch, a choir boy, who rang St. Stephen's bells. In the schools of to-day there were ever-widening opportunities, unlike the crabbed and cramping system of his schooldays, when the teacher's payment, was by results. Matthew Arnold was an inspector of schools when he (Mr. Hughes) was a teacher, and first guided him to good literature. Concluding, Mr. Hughes exhorted the children to tell as few lies as possible, live simply and honestly, and not do anything mean or petty.

THE FREEDOM OF EDINBURGH;---London, March 21. The Suinburgh City Council is offering Mr. Hughes the freedom of the city.

SWORN IN AS A PRIVY COUNCILLOR

SCENE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.

(Rec. March 22, 9.15 p.m.)

London, March 22. Mr. Hughes (Prime Minister of Australia) was sworn in as a Privy Councillor at Buckingham Palace. There was an unprecedented scene outside the Palace. Motor omnibuses and charabancs brought the wounded from nine hospitals. The Princess Royal,' the Duchess of Teck, and other Royalties presided at the tea-tables,

Colonel Sam Hughes, the Canadian Defence Minister, who is visiting London, is entirely in accord with his Australian namesake's outspoken views on post-war trade.

THE PARIS ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

BRITAIN'S DELEGATE-IN-CHIEF.

By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright

._ London, March 21. iur. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, announced that Mr. Walter Runcinian (President of the Board of Trade) would be the principal British representative at the Paris 'Economic Conference..

The Japanese Government was invited to send a delegate.

HIS DUTY TO THE EMPIRE.

(Bee. May 22, 11.40 p.mO" London, March 22. The "Morning Post" says that Mr. Hughes has a duty to something greater than Australia, namely to the Empire, and he should stay in England at present. ■ The "Daily Mail" protests against Mr. Runciman going to the Paris Conference as the principal British representative, and suggests Mr. Hughes. The "Times" says: "Mr. Hughes"is here, and Sir Robert Borden is coming. Parliament should press* for an immediate Imperial Conference. We' will then be in a position to act with our Allies and deal with our enemies."