“A CHASTENED MR HUGHES.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16454, 16 June 1921, Page 8

“A CHASTENED MR HUGHES.”

“ MANCHESTER GUARD. lAN’S” COMMENTS.

“MELODRAMA HAS CONE OUT.” By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received June 16. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. Under the heading “ Mr Hughes— Last Phase,” the “ Manchester Guardian” says. “It was a chastened Mr Hughes who made his first public speech of the present tour at the Hotel Cecil. Mr Hughes clearly knows enough of England’s temper in 1921 to re lise that the laurels of 1916 are not recapturable. No, longer are the Press trumpets heard blowing a fanfare before the strong mail from the Antipodes sent for tho salvation of poor old off to Britain. “As he mounts the platform Mr Hughes is more modest. He now apparently proposes to adapt himself to the tone of the tim s. His speech was as able as ever but less effective than in tho old da vs, because melodrama has gone out of fashion since tli ’ war. Indeed, it is rather startling to hear Mr Hughes, of all people, wondering sadlv why the war has not brought the golden age proclaimed in 19^6. “ For all its conventional Imperialism it was a Liberal sueech. the chief point being that, the Dominions are essentially peace loving and mean to take a hand in shaping foreign policy in

order to keep the Empire out of war. But for the characteristic sneer at the League of Nations there was nothing in the fmceoh to frighten the National Liberal Club.”