AT HIS OLD SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 70, 22 March 1916, Page 5

AT HIS OLD SCHOOL.

~v ''A WHITE-FACED 'WRETCH.'* ["' ___ I AUSTRALIA'S OPPORTUNITIES* ... (Eeceived. 10.30 a.m.); ,',*-. LONDON , , Mafci"2l. ilr. \Y. M - . Hughes and his wife visited the Burdett-Coutts school. at ■ Westminster, where lie was accorded an enthusiastic reception, the children cheering Air. Hughes. Mr. W. H. Burdett-Coutts, MJ\ in welcoming him, said that their guest was an ordinary hoy, with probably less advantages than most others attending the same school. He. went to Australia, unaided and friendless, but by indomitable perseverance had reached the highest goal of any man's - ambition, and • had become tho head of a nation by that nation's choice. His speeches were to-day electrifying the Empire, and he was destined to become a great?constructive force in. the Empire. . , Mr. Hughes said that he never 1 got a conduct, prize, .but.often sallied out .with exercise books in his stockings to protect hjs shins for a fight with the boys of a neighbouring Wesleyan college. Out of seven millions in London, probably six millions had. never" seen ~a, deep-sea steamer. The sight of the. Thames' had fired his youthful imagination, and he frequently' visited the East India' dpeks. Finally, with a.. schoolmate named Payne, now living close 'to .the Federal Parliamentary buildings, he decided to. s go to Australia, that land of wide spaces' and glorious sunshine, where there was a- chance for everyone, and which had produced some great, men and some fighters of whom she was. proud. I (Cheers.) ' • .. ;. : - * He remembered himself is a,' nervous, whitefaced -wretch -of choirboy--when he rang St. Stephens-bell. The schools to-day gave ever widening opportunities, unlike the crabbed cramping system of his schooldays, when teachers received payment by "results. Mattbew : . Arnold was Inspector of .Schools/when he. (Mr. Hughes) was.a teacher, andrfiret guided him into the pathsof good, literature. In concluding,* he exhorted theoKildren to tell as few lies : as' possible, to' : live simply and honestly, and not to'do anything mean or.petty. :'-;*•'-.■ •■■'i^.i^ MR HUGHES AH» THE PARIS GATHERING. £;';'" HE WOULD UKE TO GO. v .I "V :''■'. •;. LoNjk>y; ; 3l*reh.2l. The Prime Minister of Australia (Mr y : , W. M. Hugnes) has not, far, been invited to attend the Paris "conference, which is to be held on April 15 nest.; He states that the AustraliaaGovernnient is .anxious, that lie should attend.,:. He is prepared to go, as he" cbnld" present the views of Australia ou trade questions. It was pointed out to Mr Hughes, that . a message froni a Canadian journalist stated.that Canada was desirous that he should attend the. conference. Mr Hughes said that although he knew gener&Uy the principles upon which Canada was pre? \» pared to proceed,- he was :iiot ; acTOainted with the. details: He repeated tnat he was not the Ambassador -for Canada^ . ■' '• ITEVER AGAUT. i . •■ ' ; ' THANKS TO GERMAX WABJftlfQ "' ' -■n.,. •; J LONDON, .March'SL -. Mr' Walter Runciman (President of the Board of '-Trade)-,- ihterviewed].by the > United Press,. r saiid: * "Peaceful , prepara-. tions, as- a means/to a military end, namely war, can ever againcbe; tolerated .-."•; in England, France,-Russia, nbr. ? ltaly. Jfor. can we .submit to. 'nibet •favoured' :]\ I clauses, in commercial- treaties being '. utilised to the detriment'of"the Allies. Wβ; must prevent Germany raising her helmet witii the object of her i'using'her resources and commercial 1 relations -with us for purposes 6f aggression. ■ j "We are obliged to Germany forewarning us of her intention to- establish : a Customs union of .the Antral -Powers on i aggressive lines," "This threatened economic., war would be . J a permanent barrier: to Europe,'B.,pea<*ful development.' The Britisa Empire Iwill ; never attempt commercial tyranny,_.but' will resist itbj every;m<Bans. J, * ■-: •'..-.;.,