A VERSATILE AUSTRALIAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26478, 4 June 1947, Page 2

A VERSATILE AUSTRALIAN

From Farm-hand to Prime Minister

Crusts and Crusades. By the Right Hon. W. M. Hughes, C.H., K.C M.P. Angus and Robertson

Mr Hughes, a founder of the Australian Labour Party, a great Prime Minister, and the stormy petrel of Australian politics, need hardly seek literary fame to earn a place in his country’s history. But if he had to depend on it alone to be remembered, then this volume would go far to assure him of an outstanding position among Australia’s best writers.

Mr Hughes in person must be a fascinating man to judge by his witty reminiscences. Crusts and Crusades shows him at his arrival in Australia during the roaring 'eighties, an ebullient young man on the make who works in turn as farm-hand and ship’s cook, as stove-maker and general labourer, whose over-riding interest lies in politics as a means to better the lot of his fellows, and as a game for its own’ sake. In a succession of short sketches Mr Hughes tells of his experiences, describes the country before the turn of the century, gives side-lights on political conditions, and, through it all, writes with wit and great good humour.

If these tales- were fiction one might call their author a most imaginative writer. But since they are factual, one marvels at Mr Hughes’s fascinating life, and at the gusto with which he writes about it. Crusts and Crusades is an eminently readable book. H. S. K.-K