MR W. M. HUGHES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 22 December 1922, Page 5

MR W. M. HUGHES

A GLOWING.TRIBUTE

(By Electric Telegraph,—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z*. ' Cable Association., LONDON, Dec. 21.

The Morning Post, in an editorial, says a certain section of English -public opinion is indecently exultant regarding the possible exit of Mr Hughey from office. if not from active participation in Australian politics. “What a dreadful person Mr Hughes is!' If he had refused to stand by . the Mother Gountry in her hour of gravest peril,- if he had made a separate agreement-with th.e enemy, if be-bad prevailed; upon- his fellow countrymen to stay at home, then wo may take it his health to-day; would have been drunk in Repeated pptaliens.. Mr -Hughes is assertive, >obsti-•na-.e, idealistic, and inspired. He is the very embodiment of the stuff whereof empires are -made. ,He fought as hard in the great cause as those-Australian soldiers who inspired so wholesome a dread in the Germans. Whatever -may he. (be. result of the elections the Vast, majority of Englishmen salute in Mr Hughes* a great imperialist.-,. Australia; may nerd a new administration. ' That is Australia’s business. But Mr .Hughes, if he loses office, will never lose , the affection and respect of the race for whose survival and victory he fought in the hour of crisis. He was great in. war, and also great in peace, and-almost; alone among, the ‘minor’.statesmen- 1 saw through Mr Wilson’s pacifism and Mr Lloyd George’s megaloraanja. He brushed aside humbug and strove hard to come into touch with realities. :If his counsels had been listened to the' world might have been at peace to-; day.” - - J