AUSTRALIA’S PRIME MINISTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1923, Page 1

AUSTRALIA’S PRIME MINISTER.

DEADLOCK WITH DIGGERS. ] SYDNEY, June 7. An extraordinary dispute has arisen j between the Prime .Minister (Air Bruce) and tlie executive committee of the Returned. Soldiers' League which, though extremely petty in its . origin, has led to a violent storm In a teacup, and it is feared may, unless speedily terminated by some mediator possessed of tact and common-sense, prove embarrassing to the Government. I ft was the declared policy of the Nationalists in the election campaign at the end of last year that preference (all things being equal) should be given to the returned soldiers in the public service. Since the Government came into power, however, several appointments to important positions bare been made in which the League contends that not only were returned men not appointed, but wore not even considered. The executive of the League took the matter up, aiTII after [ailing to obtain any review of the appointments passed a resolution declaring that the Federal Government did not appear to be ■.sincere in its declared policy of preference. At mis charge of insincerity Mr Bruce has taken most violent olfenee. and lie has summarily broken off all relations with the League or any of its officers until such time as the resolution is rescinded. The soldiers declare that they have undeniable evidence of the insincerity of the Government in the matter, and they declare that the action of the Prime .Minister in so extreme a step, affecting important negotiations whieh were proceeding in respect of pensions, allowances to dependents of deceased soliders. and other mailers, is unworthy of the high office held by Mr Brute. Tho Press generally deprecates such uncalled for friction over so small a matter, and meetings of soldiers in lhe various States have not only hacked mi the executive, hut have heaped biting sarcasm on tho Prime Alinister’s head, speakers at the Sydney meeting : dubbing him a fop and declaring that 1 although a returned soldier, he served tilth Imperial units, and was novel I really in sympathy with the Austra- I liaii men. These hot-headed criticisms 1 while coming from it responsible sour- I ces have found a wide echo amongst returned men. and the incident is

hailed with hi". l ! glee by the opponents of the Gove’ nuieiit. who predicted that I lie i 11111 111 ■ !:! lie society star with thi' Oxford ai'oenf. and now famous spat'- would not I • long hot ore he It’ll foul of A usi; a:I ’n pur lie opinion. The digger- -ay that Mr Bruce suffers from ‘swelled head.” and is an nuioerai. among it her uiirnniplimenfnrv tilings. But it's an ill wind that blows nobody go'd. The storm which is laging round Mr Bruce is only bringing ium 1 :i . filer iclief t.he depose! Prime Mini-tor. (Mr Hughes), known popularly among the soldiers and their dependents as "The Little Digger.” They are now openly regretting the day that lie suffered j"Utienl effarement', ami in any political manoeuvres for hi-- return he wjl| a -saved I v have their backing.