DAILY CALL ON PREMIER.

Shannon News, 22 June 1923, Page 1

DAILY CALL ON PREMIER.

AN OLD LADY’S VIGIL. NOT WITHOUT PATHOS. Nearly every day (the “ Sydney Sun ” records) for three years a little old woman has called at the Commonwealth Offices to- see the Prime Minister. She has not seen him yet, and probably would not know him if she did see him. “\

She is vei*y polite. “ Can I see the Prime Minister ? ” she inquires. “ I am sorry; he is out,” she is invariably told.

“ Ah ! well,” she responds philosophically, “ I will leave him a letter.” And every day she leaves him a letter. Last week she varied the procedure. She.left a new blouse—not for the Prime Minister but for his typiste It was new—that is, it had never been worn. In other ways it was. decidedly old. If the typiste were to wear it on the Block she would create a-sensation The style was decidedly pre-war—the Crimean War.

reason for her interest in the head of the Government is variously stated, even by herself.. Since Mr. Bruce became Prime she has been expressing- her objectioA to the marriage of the Princess Mary to Viscount Lascelles. When Mr. Hughes was there she had a grievance more, personal to herself. She declared that the Commonwealth owed her a little bill, because she put her all many *years-ago into Government stock. Just how, why, and where it went nobody seems to know—not even herself.

Her daily notes cover about as many subjects as a volume of the “ Encyclopaedia Britannica.” In addition to havmg views about the Royal ’ marriage;! she lias something to say on the Irish trouble. She discourses also at lengthy on Federal politics.

Her bonnet; her old world garb, her deprecating manner, and her wistful expression make her a figure of distinction.

Mr. Bruce pauses occasionally on his way out to lunch to glance at her interestedly. One wonders if he knows \vhom the lady wishes to see.