MID THE SCENES OF HIS YOUTH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2780, 26 May 1916, Page 5

MID THE SCENES OF HIS YOUTH

MR. HUGHES'S RECEPTION AT WESTMINSTER : OUR FIBRE AS A NATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright 1 . ' London, Hay 24. The City of Westminster presented Mr. W. it. Hughes (Prime Minister of Australia) with an address of welcome framed in gold, niioii his return to the ancient city- in which he spent his schooldays. The address stated:—"We feel it a signal honour for one who lived his early years in Westminster to return as Prime Minister of a great .Commonwealth. We recognisc the leading part you have taken in calling Australia's splendid r.ianhood to the cause of liberty and justice. Their deeds have _wbn undying fame. Your courage an 3 statesmanship arc destined to be a powerful influence in the future of the Empire." Thero was a distinguished gathering of aldermen, councillors, and leading citizens. Mr. Andrew Fisher (High Commissioner for Australia) and the Colonial Agents-General were also present. The Mayor (Sir George Welby) said that the German newspapers had showed that they did not love Mr. Hughes. There could not be a higher.testimonial. Westminster had sent a message of sympathy and goodwill to Australia. ■ Mr. Hughes said he had been christened, confirmed, and educated in Westminster. Ho did not disparage the teaching of those days, but when he went out; to become a pupil of the University of the World, nobody was worse equipped. The British people browsed in Elysian fields, Belf-satisned, but were losing their virile qualities. If the German barbarian had not made a false step, due to his-insati-able ambition, but had postponed the attack for a generation, he wolud easily have been victorious, leaving the British an economically emasculated people. Australia was the nucleus of an v Empire greater than the world had seen. Whether or not the economic equilibrium of the world changed its centTe to the Pacific, . Australia would still be a great influence in the progress of the world. Tho Australian fighter did not believe there was a better man. on earth than himself, n.nd lie was now doing his best to prove it. SUGGESTED EXTENSION OF LEAVE, London, May 21. Mr. John Norton Griffiths for Wednesbury, and managing director for Norton, Griffiths,- and Co., Ltd.), asks whether, in view <if the suggested postponement of the Paris' Conference, Mr, Asquitli will ask the Commonwealth Government to extend- Mr. Hughes's leave.