PRINCE AND MR. HUGHES.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1921, Page 9

PRINCE AND MR. HUGHES.

CHAFF AT A LUNCHEON. THE HIGH COMJIISSIONERSHIP.' London, June 13. ‘H hen is my old friend Joe Cook coming over as High Commissioner?” was the first greeting the Prince of Wales fired at Mr. Hughes at the luncheon tendered by the Agents-General to Mr. Hughes. lhe Prince attended on the condition he should make no speech. When he was reassured that this condition would be observed, he became as jolly as a sandboy chaffing Mr. Hughes “with the evasiveness of his reply. He reverted to Sir Joseph Cook, but without success.’ Mr. Hughes non-committal answers revived a discussion on Mr. Hughes’ future. The only speech was made by Mr. J. M. Hunter, Agent-General for* Queensland in proposing Mr. Hughes’ health. He stated that it was fitting that those who bore the heat and burden of the war should be reassembled in conference to consolidate-the unity achieved. Mr. Hughes, Smarting under journalistic criticisms, attacked the magazines right and left. To a certain extent, he said, newspapers might be excused, hut editors of. magazines were eontinuallv telling people how to run the Empire, when they themselves could not run a lolly shop.

Mr. Hughes and the Agents-General subsequently went to the second test match. So great was the crush that Mr Hughes had to stand in the pavilion for most of the afternoon, but he followed the game with a lively interest, exchanging reminiscences with old-timers. IntyViewed by a press representative at the conclusion, Mr. Hughes said:"No Australian present could be otherwise than most impressed with the wonderful advertisement the Commonwealth has achieved from its magnificent cricketers on this tour. Like their predecessors, they are splendid propaganda tor the Commonwealth and the Empire. I wish the team every success.”