MR W. M. HUGHES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18307, 14 February 1925, Page 15

MR W. M. HUGHES.

MAY AGAINBE PRIME MINISTER.

:■ (MOM , OUB • OWJT COXB2SPOX9OT.) V SYDNEY,* February' 5. Mr. W.M.; Hughes still, commands a large "and anrinfluential one, who •■ are apparently 'determined:that h he is" temporarily out'of he is not-.to be completely, obuteratea. politically. /Of; fipeciai Significance; m this, regard was the luncheon given m his honour ;at tb* Hotel Austraha a dav .or two. ago by, the 'Chamber of gathermg .that.j included, nof afew;,big; well as manufacturers and other business men. The- fact that -there .was .no special warrant for the gathering strengthens the suspicion that there, is a desire among his\suppprtexs,that Mr Hughes should.not' "bo 6bhteratcd, ana that when, in.the, whirligig of. politics, Mr Bruce fades out, the ex-Prime Minister should; again get the can. Another significant fact was that at; this luncheon.Mx Hughes spoko from: carefully prepared .and revised typewritten notes—an • unusual course for him, even in the'days of his Prime; Ministership. Mr •Hughes ~m his. speech emphasised the vital importance; of encouraging manufactures, and home production for the home market,'as an influence forgood.upon the primary industries and - upon lahd settlementsentiments that the gathering -warnij7 applauded. .In advocating a bold policv in regard to the secondary industries,, Mr Hughes, .while not striking any very new note, made unmista*ably clear his sympathy with the; big manufacturing element. Sitting alongside of him. by the way., was another ex-Prime Minister,' Mr J'. C. Watson, rdmost unrecognisable with his clean shaven"face—a hirsute reform which, far from improving him, has. added years to his appearance.