Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-08-17
'THEATERS ARE
We'll ATTENDED
BY AUSTRALIANS
Hugh Ward, Theatrical Mag
nate of Australia, Says
People Arc Optimistic

Hugh J. Ward, managing director
of j. c. Williamson, Ltd, who con-
trolls all of the theaters in Australia.
New Zealand and South Africa. is a
passenger on the Ventura today, on
the way to London, where his COM
| pany IS putting on High Jinks," an
American comedy. This is the first
time il history that an Australian
company has put ON an American play
in London. Travelling with Ward is
his wife and two sons, Hugh F. aud
Melbourne. -..=.. .--.-.
Ward said that the war has fiatGr-
ally affected the patronage of the
theaters in the colonies, but only in
sefar as It has taken away to the
front approximately 100000 men, for
the people who remain at home re-
fuse to be ,pessimistic and demand
amusement and go to the theaters
regularly .."
these 100000 men that have
kone," declared Ward, ARE the finest
in the world and it is all due to the
policy inaugurated 10 years ago by
Lord Kitchener. At that time law
was passed in Australia, backed by
Kitchener. making it compulsory for
all boys over IA years Of age to have
military training. OF course, we have
the Boy Scouts, but that Is only for
the young boys, and when they reach
IA years they start regular training.
They like it, too. for it makes real
men of them. and it was because Of
this policy that Australia was ready
when the war started.
81 have heard great deal about
preparedness In the United States,
continued Ward, "but if America
wants real preparedness it must
train the boys, for it is upon them
that the United States must depend
If it is drawn into war in the years
to come. In Australia i have seen
5000 boys between the ages of IA
end 10 swing along like old soldiers.
My two boys are in 1t and enjoy every
moment of their training. The train
ing camps In the United States are
all right, but it takes years to make
soldier and the discipline they get
when young is the best thing in the
world for them"
Many reports have been received
here concerning the feeling in Aus.
tralia against the United States and
when asked about it this morning
Ward gave what seems to be the real
reason for it. ~ q
1.-The people of Australia are work
ed up to high pitch over the war, :"
he said sThey are intensely demo-
cratic and cannot understand how an
other country with the same beliefs
in freedom can stand by and not en-
ter into the conflict to crush people
whose standards of civilization are
the exact opposite. When the war is
over, however, and the minds of the
people again become readjusted, / be.
lieve that this feeling will disappear,
but the United States has helped the
Allies to great extent both IN
money and supplies"
Ward was in Honolulu IL years ago
and was greatly surprised over the
changes which have taken place.
When / was here before there seemed
to be so much romance" he said, "but
now 1t Is a modern city. 1t is not the
Honolulu that know and am sorry,
but" and he sighed, 81 suppose it is
all for the best"
Several weeks ago Ward met
peggy Center, the Honolulu girl
who is travelling with Media. Il found
her a very charming young lady, and
while l did not hear her sing, under
stand that She is making excellent
progress under Madame Melba."