AUSTRALIA UNKNOWN.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 September 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIA UNKNOWN.

_..__..0_....... “APPALLING IGNORANCE” IN AMERICA, Sir Thomas Hughes, 1V1.L.C., who arrived by the steamer Sonoma from America recently, stressed the urgent need for advertising Australia. He declared there was an appalling ignor ancc regarding the Comnlonwealth.i:‘: America. Australia was “not on the map of Alnerica..” Many of the pas-seiig-ers knew no more about :\llSil‘aiiJ than did a new-born babe. ' \Vith regard to trade, Sir Thomas I-lughes said it was “up to” us to cul--tivate trade with the States and to increase our exports. He noticed with great interest that America dealt very largely during the War in Tasmanian jam. 'Los Angeles was crying out for 3. trade service with Australia. Continuing, he said it was impossible for ‘l. Visitor to shut his eyes to the strong anti—Bl-itish feeling in America. The feeling in the United States towards Great Britain was very curious. A violent campaign was carried on by Hearst and his satellites against Great Britain. Great Britain did little or nothing in the way of propaganda to counteract the gross lies. He had come back more than ever convinced of the value of a “white Australia." There was a big campaign in America to Americanise the United States. Sir Thomas -I-lughcs added that he had some amusing experiences during his Visit. The people, aided by the newspapers mixed up his identity with that of MI"W. M. Hughes, Prime Min. ister. He has numerous press cuppings in which he is hailed as “Aurtralia’s leader.” On arrival in New York he wa.s rushed by newspaper reporters, who wanted to know “the Lat. est from Paris.”

Sir Thomas Hughes found that Mr Braddon, the Australian Trade‘ Commissioner, was one of the most popular men in New York.