MR. HUGHES IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 227, 13 June 1918, Page 6

MR. HUGHES IN AMERICA

NEED FOR AUSTRALIAN liEPBESENTtfI'IVK.

"There is an overwhelming Jieed for the efficient representation Australia in this country," said Air. W, Af. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, in an interview in New York when en route to t!:e Imperial Conference. "I have had a petition presented lo me by influential Australians resident in New York, pointing out the need., Thfa'e is not a minor South American Repahlic ijhieh has not adequate representation at Washington, yet a great and progressive country like Australia is not represented."

Air. Hughes explained that his inquiries at Washington concerned tteelmnking; the obtaining of galvanised iron for silos, and problems connected with the building of the Commonwealth fleet. He had been greatly impressed with tho able men President Wilson had selected for tho most important positions. Representations of Australia's need for steel plates for building Commonwealth steamers had been made, and, although there ,was a tremendous local demand,, they had securcd most of the steel and galvanised iron required. He had discussed the shipmsnt of Australian wheat with Mr. Hoover, who was thoroughly rympathetic, Slid hud expressed the hopo that, subject to America's shipping output reaching expectations, he would 1m able to ship muoh of Australia's wheat before the end 'if tho year. ,