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William Watson, M.HR.
POUnCAL WIT ¡rn WISDOM
"AsäralUi Mark Twam"
\ a
KËLBOTJKNB, Aunst IO.
No statesman he, nor world-famed
politician, no superman nor orator of
silver tongue, just plain Mr. Watson,
M.H.B-, Fremantle's choice, a man of
independent will (says the Sydney
"Sun's" Melbourne correspondent).
Yet in a lew short moments he
sprang from the semi-obscurity of an
unknown debater to the height of
popularity. The House heard him
yesterday for the first time. In his
maiden speech in tile Budget debate,
which had grown dry and,uninterest-
ing, he infused sparkling life. When
he had finished there was not a man
in the Chamber who did not acclaim
his speech as the finest example of
simple and witty oratory heard this
session.
Ho spoke of himself-"an uninspir-
ing subject," he characterised the
theme. His first few words betokened
modesty. The impression upon bis
hearers was one of deepest sincerity.
He did not believe in party politics. It
divided the country into warring fac-
tions. Like the "Sun," he claimed he
was above ' all for Australia. There
was no doubt whatever as to his sin-
cerity and honesty regarding his be-
liefs.
Sandwiched In between matter that
would have been heavy under the
guidance of many others, Mr. Watson
succeeded in bringing out gems of wit
His style reminded one of Mark
Twain's. It was One of quiet humor,
yet serious. He had not spoken before,
he said, as be had been trying to get
tho focus of the House. He wondered
I how he should succeed. Since he had
been there he had heard many bril-
liant speech ea. Perhaps caustic crlti
. cism was his medium, or perhaps, like
Mrs. Baker's goat he would become
famous by being a nuisance.
Whatever his thoughts when he
rose to speak, no one doubted that he
i had struck his medium. At every turn
i he raised shrieks of appreciation that
would have made a comedy star green
with envy. If he were acting like
Mrs. Baker's goat the Chamber ap-
preciated his very sensible capers, and
would have done much to purchase a
flock for the good of the country. He
had got the focus.
Rival for Anstey.
Mr. Watson was speaking of Mr.
Bruce's trip to the Imperial Confer-
ence. He didn't believe in the closing
down of Parliament in his absence. If
any man made trouble while the Prime
Minister was away that he would not
have mode otherwise he was not fit to
be where he was.
'"If I say a man is no. good," he re-
marked characteristically, "I mean it,
and he won't be, either."
I ¿Ir. Watson displayed a wonderful
propensity for summing up big ques
, tiona in a neat and compact way. Mr.
Anstey has a habit of delivering vest
1 pocket orations ; now a rival has en-
tered the Chamber. The Deputy -
i Leader of the Opposition could never
sum up so shortly.
Australia's foreign policy, he be-
lieved, could be put into four words;
1 "Mind your own business." Foreign
I.entanglements depended on internal
relations.
As master of metaphorical- fable be
he led the House, and anecdotes
abounded throughout his speech. He
told quaintly humorous stories of men
and incidents that had come his way,
j but at the end was always a moral,
j and one with a point none could fail to
see.
There was little nervousness about
the apostle from the West Hje spoke
as ono conversing with friends, and
walked backwards cmd forwards at
the end of the table as be talked. No
one caught him napping.' Quick to
perceive the inner meaning of an in-
terjection, he had a ready answer -on
his Ups.
When the House adjourned for din-
ner he found himself lifted from hi»
feet by the crowd cf legislators who
surged about him to cxy1gEa.rul3.te him
genuinely on his splendid effort
Entertainment Prolonged.
Later and after much pressure from
his fellow-members, ho consented to
prolong his entertainment. He reveal- |
ed himself as a methodical ap d per- j
severing personase- The (thain ber !
learnt oí his endeavors to discover the
real troth about sugar, ?n a private
dewctive-like role, be travelled to the
su SST country of Northern Queensland
and learnt nyjch fsom a practical
source before he made up his mipd
that the sugar growers were wealthy
men.
The "Sun News - Pictorial," in
its reference to Mr. Watson's speeeh,
called him "Our Abc Lincoln-big-
hearted, homely, honest," and added,
"a big, square-bum, îrinG-bearted, sin-
cere son of the west. Mr. TO. Wat
sou . . . made his maiden eflmrt yester-
day. He is now the most loved and
respected member of the House, his
fellow-members almost sweeping him
off his feet as they crowded around
him in admiration when he finished."
Miss Ethel Coomer, of Wongan Hills,
was a passenger on the s.s. Ballarat,
which left Fremantle recently on an
extended visit to her sister. Mrs. Geo.
White, pf Johannesburg, South Africa.
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