DRAMATIC SPEECH TO DIGGERS.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 151035, 29 July 1919, Page 2

DRAMATIC SPEECH TO DIGGERS.

London, July, 10. I A thousand Australian soldiers entertained lUr. Hughes afc« luucheon at ■ the "War Chest' Fund. They carried him shoulder high, and compelled him i to speak. He mounted a table, and was overcome with emotion, frequently wiping his eyes. He said: "Australia is now her soldiers' possession. Only weakness and cowardice' can ever let: the hana of the waiting vultures clutch it. I came to represent AusuiUia, and by God I have done it. Xiitie is no way of holding Australia except yours. 1 J am returning to ught tiu-se' who all my life have been fighting mo, and I thank God that 1 iuii tetter fitted for that than for aiiytmiig else. I have not the eonnig," uf y v, but if my friends in . Australia want fight they'll have it. Air. Hughes said that he would re- ! main in tiie Government only as long as the Government gave the Diggers a square deal, and not a minute longer. "Go back," he said, "and make yourselves felt. Make your spirit permeate Australia, and work. Nothing but everybody's hard work will save Australia." :