TAKEN AT HIS WORD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 244, 3 July 1918, Page 6

TAKEN AT HIS WORD

HOW THEY RECRUITED A FEDERAL SENATOR

A LABOUR "ANTI" FOR £10

(Ree. July 2, 10.5 p.m.)

Sydney, July 2. As the outeomo of Senator Gardiner's recont declaration during a speech in the Domain that lie would be Fisher's last man, Brigadier-General Jobson offered .£lO to any recruiting agent who would secure Senator Gardiner's enlistment;. The latter presented himself, and nominated Mr. Hiloy as the Parliamentarian recruiting officer. Brigadier-Gen- ] eral ,'fobson duly paid—Press Assn. |The above incident had its origin in n Labour demonstration in the Sydney Domain on Sunday week last, when addresses wore delivered by the leader oi the Federal Opposition in the Senate, Senator Gardiner, the lender of the State Opposition, Mr. John Storey, Messrs. Doulev, Burke, firookfield, Lnmrini, ana Smith, M.L.A.'s, Captain Toombs, and others. "Who are Hie men who have dared to propose to rob the citizens of New South "Wales of tho right of free speech?" asked Senator Gardiner. "Why, this AVin-the-war Government. They have l>een in power for 15 months, find all this time have been winning tho war." A voice: They could not win an argument. (Laughter.) "lint, let me tell yon," Senator Gardiner went on, "what they have in store for the country. They are not wasting their time. All these 15 months the mighty brains of the National Party have been preparing a strategic stroke to utterly destroy Germany, Austria, and Turkey. Yes, you can laugh, but I tell you it iB a. fact. Next week tho shot is to be fired. Willy AVatt is then coming to Sydney to address the State House. As soon as he does so Kaiser William will abdicate and fhe Emperor of Austria will abdicate. (Laughter.) But what of their armies? 1 will tell you. Tho speeches of Willy AVatt and Bill Holmnn will be printed at the Government Printing AVorks and sent broadcast to Germany and Austria. The poor troops who read them will go to sleep, and while they are in that condition our Australian soldiers will hit them on the heads with entrenching tool-handles. (Loud laughter.) 1 must be careful, however, for this is sedition. To give away valuable information of a forthcoming attack is assisting tho enemy. (Laughter.) I will be more guarded. AVe as a party aro supposed to bo opposed to winning the war. All we are credited with doing is attempting to stop it. But just think of the men who aro wanting to win it. There is liolman, a man ot military age, AA'att, fit for active service, Seuator Russell, of military age, Hall, Massy Greene, and Orchard—all are in the same position. Wliat do they say to the young workers of Australia.' They say, ""Conio and help your mates in the trenches.' They never say, 'Go and Help them—l don't think." (Laughter and applause.) A' voice: What about yourself? Senator Gardiner: I am Fisher's last man. (Loud laughter.)!