Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-10-15
S. WALES
PREMIER
IS HERE
Prime Minister Holman, Back
From England, Says Sub
marine Menace Is in Hand;
Expects U. S. Army Will
Demonstrate Its Worth

n MERlCA mas learned pre)aI eHHeSo
~ and learned it intelligently from
Hthe Allies war experience, thinks
William Arthur Holman, present prime
minister OF New South Wales, Aus
tralia, who is in Honolulu today en-
route home
Minister Holman has had noted
career in which he has advanced from
the position of mechanic, labor
leader and editor to the highest posi-
ton in New South Wales.
q was greatly impressed by the ef-
ficient manner. in which America is
preparing for the conflict, during my
several weeks stay in various parts OF
the United States" said Mr.. Holman.
'She is going about her great task
with efficiency and with great intel.
ligence. America is rightly taking adj
vantage of the experience gained by
her Allies. look for much from
Americas great, we'll trained and
brave army when it takes the field
actively against the worlds common
enemy"
Minister Holman's crisp, direct SEN
fences indicate his firm conviction OF
every statement uttered. Dressed in
dark gray business suit, Minister
Holman is impressive in his demo.
cratic bearing. Jpkingly, he parted
query as to the accuracy of an In
teryiew this morning with another
question: rs an interview ever cor
rect-if printed in New York
paper?"
Becoming serious again, he said:
There was great jubilation in Aus
tralia over Americas entrance into the
warrwhich is almost IMPOSSIBLE to ex-
press. We have always reg&fded Eng.
land as our mother country, of course;
but We have regarded, America as an
elder brother. Now there is a GER
tain feeling of sentiment about help
ing ones mother, but there is a very
great satisfaction about seeing ones
husky big brother come up and get
into the row.
Australia, he says, has plenty of
foodstuffs and other supplies, which
she is ready to send to England and
to our other allies as soon as she gets
the ships to send them in. And these
ships, he added, are now being built
through "a friendly agreement" in
American yards.
Much Wheat to Spare.
I'VE have the surplusage of three
wheat crops in iland ready to shin
in addition to having plenty for our
own needs" the Australian Premier
explained. "
Our farmers have all this potential
wealth in the form of grain and are
unable to move ittoward its best and
most natural market ON account of
the lack of vessels. But the bankers
are lending the farmers all the money
they need en- an equitable basis, with
the grain as collateral, and so con-
ditions are prosperous. There are
many millions of bushels of this
wheat"
The PreHier was asked his opinion
on the submarine menace, from the
viewpoint of one who had returned
within the last few days from Eng
land.
There is general feeling that the |
submarine menace is in hand" he said. |
THAT is, it is on the high road to be |
ended. The situation is still serious,
OF course, but it is being remedied !
Americas contribution of fast power
full destroyers is much appreciated, |
and the destroyers of all the Allies are |
doing splendid work.
Il expected to find France and Eng
land very much in mourning and |
but was joyfully sur
prised to discover that such was not |
the case. They are all bearing I'D !
very bravely, and there is no dissent !
among the soldiers or people as to the /
necessity of winning the war at any
or all costs"
The high cost of living is a problem |
IN Australia as we'll as elsewhere, |
Premier Holman said, and means to |
control prices are being considered by |
the state.
The premier has been away from
New South Wales almost six months |
and spent much of his time in France. |
He was met at the steamer this |
by delegation from the Brit. |
ish Club, including its president, Fred
and Judge Clarence W. Ash
ford. Mrs. Walter F. Frear and
woman friend from Australia were
others who greeted him and his secre-
tary, Clifford H. Hay.