THE LITTLE DIGGER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 7, 4 October 1943, Page 6

THE LITTLE DIGGER

Mr. W. M. Hughes’ Birthday ■ The Rt. Hon. AV. M. Hughes,. C.H., KC who celebrated his <9th birthday a‘few days ago, is one of the most colourful figures in the public lite or Australia. Mr. Hughes has. several claims to distinction. He was Prime Minister during the last war, is the solc . su D'L”? original member of the first Australian Parliament, and was one of the totinoers of the Australian Labour Party and the Waterside Workers’ Federation. Ml. Hughes was born in Wales tn Ibbu .the birthplace of his contemporary Lloyd George), ami went, to Australia ** le “ ” e was 20 years of age He was elected to the New South Males Parliament in 1884, where be served for seven years, tie entered the Commonwealth larhament as a Labour member in 1001, and succeeded to the office of I’rime MimMnt n 1915. Mr. Hughes left, the Labour Party in 1917 due to the .split in the party on tlie conscription issue, and formed a new administration which i'?™' ncd 2 n T till 1923. Mr. Hughes is Deputy-Li nder of the Opposition in the Kederal lar lament. and is a member ot tlie M at Conn cil. His distinguished services to Australia and tlie Empire were recognized in 1941 when lie received the coveted awnid of tlie Companionate of Honour. During the last -war Mr. Hughes was iamronrly known as “The Little Digger. which name was given to him by the Australian soldiers when he visited them nt.th. front. He lias often been photographed find caricatured wearing a Diggers hat.