OVERSEAS AID.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 165, 12 July 1919, Page 7

OVERSEAS AID.

THE IMPROVISED STAFFS. &■ SURPRISE FOR THE GERMANS By Cafole.-<Press Asßodatlon.-Copyright.) (Received 12.20 p.m.). LONDON, July 11. Mr. Andrew Fisher, High. Commisuoner for Australia, gave an interesting arewell dinner to Mr. W. M. Hughes md Sir Joseph Cook at Claridge's. The fuests included Lord Birkenhead, Sir ioselyn Wemyss, the Lord Mayor, Sir Auckland Geddes, Sir E. H. Carson, Mr. *• *"• Pearce, Generals Monash and -hauvel, and Sir Thomas Mackenzie. Lord Birkenhead proposed the toast of Uγ. Hughes and Sir Joseph Cook, and >f all the men who contributed to the mforgettable help of Australia in war ™ c present at the dinner. Sir Joseph at the outbreak of war, sent the irecious message that the Australian •eet vras at the Admiralty's disposal, tfr. Fisher had promised the last man tnd the last shilling, and it was when uin, swift and final, might have swept hese iialands that the fierce unanmous ry rang from the outer Dominions and hat came as an inspiration. Lord Birkenhead congratulated the listinguished generals present on havng done wprk only done twice prcviousy in history—by Napoleon and by Cromvell. The Empire had improvised staffs md generals from civilians. The Gernans laughed at that, but did not laugh nuch after they met the Australian md Canadian men, whose feats of arms ivere most remarkable. The result of »ueh improvisations no Englishman ivould ever forget. Mr. Hughes had the courage to place himself at the head of conscription in Australia. It was not our place to interfere with a local matter, but an Englishman may recognise a. man of :ouiage when he sees him. Sir Edward Carson eaid Mr Hughes enev he wanted the fullest consolidation >f the Empire out of the war. Sir Edward laid a tribute to Australia's contribution )f sea power and to Sir Joseph Cook's services in connection therewith. Adniral Wemyse said the Navy fully •ecognised Australia's moral and material support. The British Navy was always .villinp to assist the Australian. MrtHughes, replying, said he was glad ;o knew that Australia had proved herself worthy of being part of the Empire. Peace was at least practicable. We would nvited disaster if we opened our gates to and he would never be a party •hereto, but would do all he could to levelop Empire trade and trade with our lilies. Sir Joseph Cook, replying, said Australia vould follow the British tradition in facing the colossal tasks imposed by the war. Sir Auckland Geddes confirmed Mr. Hughes' view of Germany's industrial formidatleness. She had got what she had not before, namely, currency so depreciated that when she Tesumes competition the can get three days' work for a pound sterling. But even if she pays ivorkmen thirty marks daily, Germany stands in an unrivalled position for commercial competition.—(A. and N.Z.)