NOTABLE VISITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19549, 31 January 1927, Page 8

NOTABLE VISITOR.

MR. BRUCE ARRIVES TO-DAY* RETURN FROM CONFERENCE.. YOUNGEST PRIME MINISTER. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. S. M. Bruce, will arrive by the Niagara from Vancouver this morning. He is returning to Australia from the Imperial Conference. When Mr. W. M. Elughcs found himself in disfavour with the political groups in the Commonwealth in 1923, Mr. Bruco was Treasurer in the Federal Government and outside his own personal and political circles was practically an unknown man. His selection as Prime Minister has been described as one of the great accidents in Australian history, for it was becauso of his youth and his very short association with Mr. Hughes that his nomination proved acceptable to the newly-formed Country Group, then forming a coalition with tho National Party. Seven years junior to Mr. Coates, Mr. Bruce, at the ago of 42, can claim to be the Empire's youngest Primo Minister. He is Australian born, but spent a great deal of his youth in England, as a Cambrdge undergraduate,-as a university oarsman and sculling coach, and as a barrister of tho Middle Temple. On the outbreak of war ho joined the Worcester Regiment and served as an officer with the 29th Division at Gallipoli, wb.ero ho distinguished himself in action, earning tho Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre. lie still suffers from wounds incurred during that campaign. One of his first commissions as Primo Minister was to attend tho Imperial Conference in London in 1923. His common sense, plain speech and plain dealing there earned him a redoubtable reputation, and his return to Australia was the homecoming of a young statesman who had proved his qualifications. It was tho shipping strike in Australia in 1925 that brought Mr. Bruce into world-wide prominence and gave an insight into his determination and businesslike qualities. After holding his hand patiently for a time, hy suddenly hunched a terrific ouslaught on the extremists who were causing world-wide irritation and threatening to ruin Australia's trade and industry. As & result ho was relume.! to power last November with an unprecedented majority. During tho Imperial Conference just ended, tho high opinions formed of Mr. Bruco's Imperial motives and qualities of leadership were fully confirmed. He gavo further proof of a staunch Imperialism and a powerful, clear-cut policy. Sir. Bru-t) will ba zneA oa arrive »• y the Hon. 4.. A. kt»ag, ftli.dt.ltof Health, on behalf.of tß'e.Governmcafc, sir;d b« the Mayor, Mr. G B&ildoa, c*maK of tho city. He will continues his voyngci by the Niagara this evening.