EXCITABLE MR. HUGHES.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1921, Page 7

EXCITABLE MR. HUGHES.

HOW HE LEFT FOR LONDON.

LAST DAYS IN MELBOURNE.

Sydney, May 3. The extraordinary temperament of Mr. Hughes, as well as his wonderful mental strength, were illustrated during the two or three days before his departure from 'Melbourne en route to the Imperial Conference, according to stories which are filtering through political channels from the Federal capital. Mr. Hughes is like a child when the date of departure on some important journey draws near, and he becomes wildly excited. His is a Government, and the result is that when he is going away, and is handing over the reins to other Ministers, he has a strenuous and harassing time. It is said that on the day before he departed the corridor leading to his rooms was full of waiting people—all sorts and conditions—who had urgent business with him. Inside Mr. Hughes, with his coat off, was trying to dictate to two stenographers at once and at the same time giving final instructions to a couple of Ministers. As he pranced up and down, he got a glimpse down the corridor and saw the patient crowd. Forthwith, he rushed out, and ordered his scared messengers to “clear all those people away out of this passage—let them wait in the outer corridor.” That is absolutely typical of Mr. Hughes in an excited condition.

On the day he left (at 4.30 p.m.) he seemed to spend the day rushing about Parliament House like a Jack in the box. He dashed into rooms and dashed out, commenced sentences and forgot to fin ish them, had a gang of messengers and secretaries in his wake gathering up tilings he had forgotten, and barked savagely at everyone. Yet at 1.30 p.m., at a private luncheon, he made a strikingly funny speech, in which he gave reminiscences of his experiences as a super in the theatrical enterprise 30 years ago. From there, he walked straight into the House and made a particularly brilliant speech on the financial position and, the condition of Australia’s primary industries. An amazing man! When he got to Adelaide to join the steamer all sorts of official welcomes and ceremonies awaited him. But he disappeared, and the whole official programme collapsed. It was afterwards found that he had gone into a private room ,where he had morning tea with Mrs. Hughes. Afterwards he strolled by himself into the city and bought some necessary articles of wearing apparel. After that he had just time to say a few words to the disappointed ones and dash off to the boat. He did not have time to call on the Governor—although that austere personage was solemnly awaiting him at Government House.