MR. HUGHES RESIGNS.

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 November 1935, Page 4

MR. HUGHES RESIGNS.

The sensation caused in Australia by the demand of the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, for the resignation of Mr. W. M. Hughes, will cause a ripple of interest outside the confines of the Commonwealth. Though the necessity for the action will be regretted, the uncompromising stand taken by Mr. Lyons will be regarded with satisfaction in official circles in Great Britain, not on personal grounds as far as

Mr. Hughes is concerned, but because the Federal Prime Minister has thus demonstrated the solidarity of Australian Commonwealth support of the British attitude in regard to sanctions. It is strange that the sanctions policy arising out of the ItalianAbyssinian war should cause such an upheaval in the domestic politics of Australia. The root of the trouble lies in a book written by Mr. Hughes, “Australia and the War To-day.” Statements made therein are considered by the Prime Minister to be at variance with the policy of the Government, and in consequence Mr. Hughes position as a member of the Federal Cabinet was regarded as no longer tenable. It is a strange turn of the wheel of political fortune that “Billy” Plughes, who was such a colourful personality in Australian war-time politics, and who played no little part in the post-armistice discussions of peace terms, should be thrown out of office in this dramatic fashion. However, he is by no means a spent force and, though he. has lost his portfolio, he is still a member of the Federal House and doubtless much more will be heard from him in Australia on the subject of sanctions. At this distance it is not possible to judge the rights and wrongs of the situation, but on the facts that have been made known so far there would appear to be no grounds for assuming that \V. M. Hughes has become either a pacifist or an isolationist. He declares that lie believes m sanctions, but also believes that without force to back them up they become an empty gesture. It is easy to understand how such a statement as that might embarrass a Government which is supporting the British attitude towards Italy. _____