THE RETURN OF MR. HUGHES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2839, 2 August 1916, Page 5

THE RETURN OF MR. HUGHES

SPEECHES,AT PERTH . "A TJNY PATCH OF BLUE^ Australian-Kcw Zealand Cable Association. Porth, August 1. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, who has just returned from' England, was welcomed at a rccoption. In his speech he reiterated the necessity for absolute unity and for using every effort to secure victory. He was satisfied, from what he had seen of the temper of the people, that Britain, Canada, Africa, and Australia were prepared to seo things through to the bitter end. "A patch of blue no bigger than a man's hand is visible in the waii clouds. It is spreading, and it will continue to spread till wo havo wiped the horizon clear." * Replying to deputations, Mr. Hughes advocated organising after-the-wai- trade, an effective limpire tariff with reciprocal arrangements between the various parts of tho Empire, fixing a term during which enemy subjects could not lis naturalised, and the permanent exolnsion of enemy goods. I Mr. Hughes refused to be-drawn on tho question of conscription, uponwhioh tho country is anxiously waiting a pronouncement. "■ He announced that ho had not accepted any invitations to return to England as a, member of tho War Council.