MR W. M. HUGHES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1921, Page 4

MR W. M. HUGHES

A LUNCHEON

ATJBTRAMAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

LONDON, June 14

-Mr XV. M. Hughes, Australian Premier, was entertained at a luncheon at the Hotel Cecil, those present numbered 280, and included Mr Massey, Lord Novar, and representative'' Australians and New Zealanders.

Lord Novar, proposing the toast, “Our Guest,” said: “In these days a Prime Minister stood out in the eyes of democracy as the figurehead of administrative power, and at the same time was the whipping hoy of the nation. Mr Hughes''had enjoyed such a position throughout recent strenuous years. He (Lord Novar) had an opportunity of judging him during this period and had never seen his courage fail or his spirit flag.” Mr Hughes, who was enthusiastically received, said Dominion representatives had been summoned to discuss matters of most vital importance to the Empire. The Imperial Conference marked a new epoch. They had a new War Cabinet, which had helped to frame the Versailles Treaty. Now, under different circumstances, they were asked to consider Empire defence and foreign policy. Men’s minds were turned towards domestic problems. These had been intensified by the war. Therefore many were thinking they have not to speak new of Empire, and there was a danger that Imperial maters might-be neglected. There were the great industrial questions of housing and wages. These must settled one wav or another. Otherwise they would bring about the destruction of civilisation. Bolshevism he claimed, had already shown the world, that there was no short cut to a tenestrial paradise. The questions of Empire, he'considered; were interwoven with domestic problems: It was no use arguing about employment or wages if there were no manufacturers. No one would manufacture who is unable to find a market.

LONDON, June 14

Mr Hughes continued that the Overseas Dominions were great markets for British goods. He asked did working men in England think what would happen if the Dominions sent their products elsewhere. England must have their assured supplies of raw material. If their country stepped down from its pre-war pedestal of manufacturing great ness, then millions of workers would find themselves workless. In 50 years, the Dominion population would probably exceed that of the Old Country. There was not one domestic problem that had not an imperial force. Their foreign policy affected every part of the Empire, as from the womb of foreign policy wars emerged. There was still the sound of war in the Near East. There was internecine strife and industrial trouble everywhere. The very lives of the people depended upon the problems to be discussed at the Imperial Conference, Cabinet, or meeting—which ever name they would give it. He did not know which name. Therefore, they would do well to consider imperial problems concerning these democratic nations. The Summoning into council of these countries was'an assurance of peace. Australia realised what she owed the British Navy. The Empire depended on its sea power. On the day that passed, the Empire would pass. Mr Hughes also declared the future lay in closer co-operation of Empire units without in the thousandth part of a degree diminishing their self governing powers. The glory of their constitution was elasticity. It had served them greatly, and would serve them for the next hundred years if they did not meddle with it. Let them go on with the present constitution, which emanated from the genius of the British nation, and was a t riumph of common sense, rather- than a bourgooise plight of constitution mongers.