TESTIMONIAL TO MR. HUGHES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 49, 22 November 1920, Page 5

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. HUGHES

SUBSCRIPTIONS IN LONDON. London, November 10. ■The *llughes Testimonial i'mid has closed in London, with bubseriptioiis totalling .£12,000.—A us.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [Because of the' expressed desire of many returned soldiers to show their appreciation of tho services which .Mr. Hughes had rendered to Australia during the war, a number of leading members of the returned soldiers' movement called a meoUng in. Sydney about three months ago. It was then agreed to organise an Australian presentation to the Prime Minister, which would be worthy alike of Uia man and of his work. The proposal was found to bo so well received that it was agreed that the testimonial should not bo confined to returned men, but that something bigger should be attempted, and that all classes- ol the community should be invited to associate themselves with the testimonial. _ As a result committees have been organised m each State, representing alike business men, private citizens, and the returned soldiers. The organising committee aims at raising a Bum of from £30,000 to £30,000. It points out that the movement is non-partisan in character. While many citizens of the Commonwealth may differ strongly with Mr. Hughes on political issues, the committee expresses the view that there is a general desire to recognise his splendid vrorK for Australia during the war w tho fight he made for tho Commonwealth-at the Pence Conference, and his labours m connection with the repatriation of the Australian forces. A message published on Saturday stated that it was anticipated that the testimonial, which is to be presented on Wednesday, would reaoh .£20,000,]