HON W. M. HUGHES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10000, 18 June 1918, Page 6

HON W. M. HUGHES

ARRIVAL IN LONDON

AUSTRALIA'S PART IN WAR DEFINED. IMPLICIT CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Juno 16. Mr W. M. Hughes and Mr J. Cook have landed, after a pleasant voyage. Mr Andrew Fisher (High Commissioner for Australia) and Rear-Admiral Hawortft Booth (Naval Adviser to the High Commissioner), welcomed them at Liverpool. They were also welcomed by Captain Gaunt on behalf of the Admiralty. Afterwards Mr Hughes and IMr Cook left for London, where they were enthusiastically received by a huge crowd at Euston station, including a contingent of the Women's Land Army, who cheered the visitors. Australian troops formed a guard of honour, and an Australian Band played. Representatives of tho Colonial Office, and Generals McCay and Griffiths, and tho Agents-General, and mauy officials wore presented! to Messrs Hughes and Cook. Interviewed by the Australian Press Association, Mr Hughes said that though the voyage was devoid of adventure it was full of interest. They received evidence of the supremo power the British Navy exercised They had travelled 10,000 miles of sea and had not seen a vestige of the enemy flag or any trace of his existence. Mr Hughes said the behaviour of the American troops was excellent and beyond reproach, and displayed an air of quiet confidence, typical of the spirit of America. They were going to the front imbued with the resolute determination to destroy militarism, root and branch. Then to remember that there were literally millions such as these awaiting transport was to set at rest any doubts that America is in the war to the end. No German peace would satisfy her; no peace of atiy kind that does not bring justice and right to reign throughout the world, and assure all nations, great and small, that freedom which tho Americans themselves possess will be accepted. Referring to the Conference, Mr Hughes stated: "We aro coming to give consideration to the many and great problems with which the Conference is confronted. Realising all that they mean to Australia and the rest of the Empire, we shall endeavour to solve these problems and uphold and fight for Australia's partioular rights." INTERVIEW WITH MR COOK. Mr J. Cook, interviewed, said that j in this critical hour in the history of civilisation, Australia, was absolutely I j and resolutely with tho Motherland. I There was not & doubt on that point from the very first shot fired in this ill-fated Armageddon, which, incidentally, was in Australia, afc a fleeing ( German merohant ship. That purpose had never wavered; it never will. Australia knew that "peace without victory was a sham. William Pitt, over a century ago, said the beginning and object of the war against Napoleon was summarised in the word "security";! and seourity for Australia meant that j German control must bo excluded j from the Pacific. Our interests in this war as well as our sympathies werfe common, and together wo must tread t'ne pathway of tho future, whatever sacrifice and suffering it entailed. The visitors were greatly pleased ■with the ovation they received in London. The "Observer," in welcoming Mr Hughes, says: "At each return of tho Dominion they come with enhanced authority. There, is no shadow of doubt that Mr Hughes speaks the mind of the overwhelming majority of the Empire when he demands that Germany shall never again be. allowed to build up an armed power on the colonial basis in the neighbour- J hood of tho free Dominions." j THREAT OF DISASTER AN ANTIDOTE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, June 16. Mr Huglios, in an interview in the London papers, said the threat of disaster to the Allies had brought a splendid response in recruits. "We have suffered in Australia, as elsewhere, from insidious German propaganda ; and we have men whoso hatred for England hlinds them to all else; but they are in a minority." OVERSEAS" DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. Australian and N. 7.. Ciiblo AESOciation. LONDON, Juno 16. Mr W. M. Hughes, Mr W. F. Massey, tho Hon. R. R. Garran (M.L.C., Now South Wales), and Sir Robert Borden attended the dinner given by the Benchers of the Middle Temple to Mr Lloyd George. * ■ EULOGY OF MR HUGHES. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Received June 18, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, Juno 17. .The morning nowspapers give prominenco to thto arrival of Messrs Hughes and Cook and their enthusiastic wclcomo at Euston station. The "Morning Post" says:—"The safo arrival of Mr Hughes is an event of importance to tho Empiito, for in his frail body burns an indomitable soul. He is resolved npon victory and not an empty Victory, but one which will make tho Empire secure. Mr Hughes re.ali.tes that the Germans value tho colonies as naval bases. Ho also knows that the foundations of our security .V.st upon tho control of raw material and tho security of industry. We are glad to know v that statesmen like Messrs Massey, Hughes and Cook, who ofcjal m realities, aro helping in tho fight against insidious attempts to divert Britain into the bog of quagmires of political idealism. A League of Nations and othter such schemes aro being thrust upon a bewildered public instead of realities. All are_ baaed on tho craven un-British principle of surrendering our friends in order to placato our enemies."