Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 13 June 1917, page 8


FAWKNER'S NEW MEMBER.

MR. MAXWELL'S RESOLUTION.

No Donations to Clubs.

Mr. Mackinnon on Recruiting.

A complimentary tons ironstone to welcome the new number for Fawkner (Mr MDXNII.11, M H R ) was held in the Prahran Town Hall last evening by the members of the Prahran and South -Yarra Campaign Committee There was a large attendance, i which was presided over by the mayor of Prahran (Councillor Embling)

In proposing Mr M i_woll s health, Senior Fairbairn, who was received with prolonged applause, said that Mr Ma_n_l land fought a great fight. His majority of 031 voted, was not very large, but when one considered what a great stronghold of Labour the Rev kner electorate had been the result was magnificent The electors must not let their enthusiasm want They should see that the National party was kept at it and ready for a political fight at any time for in politics and never knew when an election. would occur It would be the fault of the National party and a great misfortune to the country if the receipts from the old Labour party were ever lost to it

is an

Councillor Nicolson, who supported the toast said that the time had come when Australia should have conscription A lot of shirkers would vote for the Win-theNY as part), but when it came to a, question of anything which affected themselves tiny voted the other way

In replying to the toast Mr Maxwell, vi lie HUB greeted with prolonged cheering, thanked those who had worked to secure his- return He had never seen such workers as the ss womenfolk of the electorate He was a mere novice in politics and he intended to go into the House of Representatives as a learner Fawkner had not returned him as a lawyer, but as a plain British citizen, because if he were any thing at ill he was a criminal lawyer (Laughter ) Having; regard to the good morals of his constituents he did not expect to be of much use to them (Renewed

' tritt r 1

Continuing Mr Maxwell said that he had been appalled to see a published statement that the Liberal members of the House were going to meet in one room with their leader, Mr Cook, and that the labour section was going to meet in an other room with their leader Mr Hughes If that were going to be done he certainly would not be found in the Liberal room lit recognised only one leader in Parliament to-day and that was the Prime Minister (Mr Hughes) (Applause ) He (Mr MTTOell) had been returned to 1 treatment as a Nationalist member to form one of a National party, and he knew no past. He hoped that what appeared to be a temporary as sociation would prove to be a permanent bond and that the National party would be consolidated and De for all time in Australia a progressive National Party

The May Bony that Sir W William Irvine had renewed his attempt upon the position taken up by the followers of the Prime Minister Mr William Irvine had stated that the election in 1' tenders had been fought upon the conscription issue His (Mr Maxwell's reply to that was that the election in Fawkner was not fought on that line He believed that in the House Sir William Irvine would stand alone It was only when it was found that conscription was absolutely necessary or rather when it was found to be justifiable to remit the qui stan again to the people that such a course would he taken He had been a ton scription is from the beginning but he in tended to be absolutely loyal to the pledge

that had been made

At the very outset of his political career he wished to state that he intended con serving his energies One man who was only a State member of Parliament(laughter) by that it meant that the member only represented comparatively small constituent) was the patron of president

of about 78 dubs of different kinds . He (Mr Maxwell) would set his face against that kind of thing He knew perfectly well that a member of Parliament was only elected to these positions because of the subscription. which he was expected to give (daughter ) There was a certain section of the people who regarded a member of Parliment as a perfect gold mine Aus tralia wins in for hard times and there was going to be heavy taxation It was every man's duty to concentrate financially. so as to enable him to discharge the duties which would fall upon him in scenic that the soldiers who had such strong claims upon him were properly provided for

Mr Robinson M L C vi he proposed the toast of Our Boys at the front said that we should see that the sacrifices which they had made were not in vain Adequate reinforcements show be sent to them so that I lice vi ar u our men should not be used to the limit of their endurance

Aft li iv les -MLA. in supporting the

toast said that many of the boys of Prahran

and laid down their lives for Australia in his recruiting efforts the Director General (Mr Mackinnon) find a difficult task and everyone wished him God speed of voluntary recruiting filled no one could blame Mr Mackinnon

All present then stood and sang God Save Our Splendid Men

Hit Dire tor-General of Recruiting (Mr Mackinnon) who responded on behalf of the men at the front said that he s.upposed that what the boys at the fit men were Mr ing was Send us more men it without disclosing any facts he might say to it for the present fighting men Mere vital Ii for reinforcements

and our men seen in a more

satisfactory position than Vustriihin troop. had ever been Hit unit would come however when the battalions could not be enforced in the way they should be. and that was the concern of the people of Yu. the. Reference had been made that even

me to the need for conscription It was said that the response to the appeal for men was very poor People seemed to for get ting 20,000 men had been raised since the beginning of the year up till last Saturday He hoped that it would be possible to bring back some of the men who had been fighting so long at the front. It would be a splendid stimulus to recruiting if some 5,000 or 10 000 men were brought back for a rest if only for six weeks or two months He would use all his influence to give effect to this proposal

Mr Oman, M L.A , also responded on be

half of the men

Several other toasts were honoured and

a good musical programme was given during

the course of the evening.