MR. W. M. HUGHES IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 231, 18 June 1918, Page 5

MR. W. M. HUGHES IN LONDON

A "STATE" ARRIVAL ? TWO INTERVIEWS j

~ 'London, June 16. Mr. W. it. Hughes and Mr. J. Cook havo landed, after a pleasant voyage. Mr. Andvow R'shor (High Commissioner tor Australia) and Rear-Admiral Haworih Booth (Naval Advisor to tho High Commissioner), welcomed them at Liverpool. They were also welcomed by Captain Gaunt on k'half of the Admiralty. Afterwards Mr. Hughes and Mr. Cook left for London, where they wero enthusiastically received by a lnigo crowd at Euston Station, including a .contingent of tho Women's Land Army, who chocred tho visitors. Australian troops formed a guard of honour, and an Australian band played. representatives of the Colonial Office, Generals M'Cay and Griffiths, tho Agents-General, and. many officials were presented to Mr, Hughes and Mr. Cook.

Loaders Interviewed. Interviewed by the Australian Press Association, Mr. Hughes said that though tho voyage was devoid of adventuro it was full of'interest. They received evi(lonco.of tho supremo poiver the British Navy' exercised. They had travelled' 10,000 miles of sea and had not soon, a of tho enomy flag or any traco of his existence. , . Mr. Hughes said tho behaviour of tho American troops was excellent and beyond reproach, and displayed an air of qmiot confidence, typical <f tho spirit of Amorica. Tlicy wero going to tho front imbued with the resolute determination to destroy militarism, root and branch. Then to remember that there wero literally millions such as these awaiting transport was to set at rest any doubts that America is in tho war to the ond. No German peace would satisfy her; no peace of any kind that does not bring justice and right to reign throughout the world and assure all nations, groat and small, that freedom which the Americans themselves possess will bo accoptod. Deferring to the conference. Mr. Hughes stated: "Wo are coming to give consideration to the many and great problems with Vhich tho conference is confronted. Realising all that they mean to Australia and tho rest of tho Empire, we shall ondeavour to solvo these problems and uphold and fight for Australia's particular rights." Mr. J. Cook, interviewed, said that in this critical hour in the history of civilisation Australia was absolutely and resolutely with tho Motherland.'' There was not a doubt on that point from tho very first shot in this fateful .Armageddon, which, incidentally, was ~n Australia, at ,-v fleeing. German merchant ship. That purposo had never wavered.; it never will. Australia knew that peace without victory would be a sham. William Pitt over a century ago, said the beginning and object to the war against Napoleon was summarised in the worn "security"; and security for Australia meant that Gentian, control must be exeluded from tho Pacific. Our interests ill this war as well as on.r rympathies were common, tnd together we must tread the pathway of 'ho future, whatever sacrifices and suffering it entailed. The visitors were greatly pleased with the ovation they ieceived in London.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RECRUITING IN AUSTRALIA MR. HUGHES ON:,THE OTJTOOOK. ' London, June 16. Mr. Hughes, in an interview in the London papers, stiid that the threat of disaster to tho Allies had brought a, splendid response in recruits. Wo had suffered in Australia, as elsewhere, from insidious ■ German propaganda; ».nd we have men whose hatred for ImglaM blinds them to all else; but they are in a minority.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRIENDS IN NEED , fllcc. Juno 18, 1.5 a.m.) London, Juno 17; Tho morning newspapers give prominenco to tho arrival of Mr. Hughesi and Mr Cook and their enthusiastic welcome at Euston station, and display interviews on similar lines to their American speeches. Tho "Morning P° S J' says: "Tho safo arrival of Mr. Hughes is an event of importance to tho Empire, tor in his frail body burns an indomitable soul. Ho is resolved upon, victory, not an empty victory, but ono which will mako tho Empire secure. Mr. Hughes realises that tho Germans valuo the colonies as naval bases. Ho also knows that tho foundations of our security rest upon tho control of raw material and tto security of industry. Wo are glad to know that statesmen liko Mr. Massey, Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Cook, who deal in realities, arc helping to fight against in-, sidious attempts to divert Britain into tho bog . and quagmires of political idealism. A League of Nations and other such schemes aro being thrust upon a bewildered public instead of realities. All avo based on tho cravcn un-British principle of surrendering our friends in order to placate our enemies. The "Observer," in welcoming Mr. Hughes, says: "At each return of the Dominion iiapresontatives they como with enhanced authority. Tharo is no shadow of doubt that Mr. Hughes speaks tho mind of tho i verwhclming majority of tho Empire when he demands 'that Germany shall never mram be allowed to build up an armed power on the colonial basis in ilie hood of tho freo Dominions.' -Aus.-N./>. Cablo Assn.