Compiled by Cameron McCullough
AFTER addressing six other meetings during the day, Mr. Bruce arrived at Frankston at 9 o’clock and received a demonstrative welcome from a crowded audience which packed the main hall and gallery of the Palais.
As he entered the hall, accompanied by Mrs. Bruce, the Prime Minister was greeted with cheer after cheer.
The president of the Shire (Cr. F. H. Wells) presided, and he was supported on the stage by Mrs. Lambie (president of the Frankston branch of the A.W.N.L.), Cr. J. L. Pratt (president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association), Mr. F. S. Bell (president, National Federation), and a large number of prominent citizens.
Mrs. Lambie, in presenting Mrs. Bruce with a beautiful bouquet on behalf of the Frankston branch of the A.W.N.L., said that all admired the splendid way Mrs. Bruce was assisting the Prime Minister. Her services were real helpful to the country.
(Cheers).
Mrs. Bruce, in response, thanked the women of Frankston for their thoughtful act, but what she would like best of all would be for them to return her husband at the head of the poll by the biggest majority ever.
(Loud cheers).
Mr. Bruce, in thanking the chairman for the cordial welcome given him, said it was gratifying to find such a splendid demonstration awaiting him in his home town.
Election day was now drawing near – next Saturday. The people would then decide whether they desired constitutional government or to be ruled under the amazing doctrines of the other side.
It was the most vital problem the people of Australia had ever been called upon to solve. By their votes they would determine whether Australia should continue to progress, whether her workers should live peaceful and contented lives with decent conditions and good wages, and whether the nation should hold fast to the principles of liberty and constitutional government.
It could not be denied that there were in Australia today those who desired to overthrow the democratic form of government and set up in its place a system which had proved a ghastly and tragic failure in the only country where it had been adopted.
Those men had gained considerable power in the trade unions of Australia, yet Labor leaders, instead of casting them out of the Labor movement, had encouraged them, and even obstructed the Government in its efforts to deal with them.
Labor today did not represent the great mass of the Australian people. He believed that most of the Labor leaders believed in the “white Australia” policy, but Mr. Walsh, with whom they were so closely associated, had said quite definitely that he did not believe in it, and did not want a “white Australia.”
Labor was totally opposed to immigration, and Mr. Charlton’s declaration that he did not want Australia to have a voice in the Empire’s foreign policy meant that Labor would have Australia committed to future wars without having a voice in deciding whether they should be waged or not. He appealed to the electors to consider deeply whether they would hand the reins of government over to a party which was riddled with Communists.
(Applause).
The Prime Minister, referring to the bogus Fascist letter, said: “I now desire to show you to what despicable depths our opponents are prepared to go in order to deceive the electors and attain their ends.
Whilst I was in Sydney last week there were persistent rumors of a last-minute sensation which the Labor Party was going to expose.
Yesterday, in the Sydney Labor Daily, the wonderful sensation appeared. As you are aware, a Fascist organisation has been formed in Australia, and the Government took prompt steps to repudiate it.
I said quite clearly, and I repeat now, we shall permit no organisation to usurp authority in this country, and we will see that the law is obeyed by all persons, irrespective of rank, condition, or belief.”
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THE motor ambulance, which was presented to the Mornington Peninsula on October 9, has already done good service.
There has been one case from Frankston and two from Mornington for conveyance to Melbourne hospitals.
Messrs. Taylor & Ritchie, of Mornington, have offered to garage the ambulance car free of cost for the present, but later on, owing to the holiday season they will be unable to do so.
The committee is thus compelled to build a garage. A generous offer has been made by Cr. P. McArthur, president of the Mornington Shire, to allow the erection of a temporary garage on his property in the main street, adjoining the residence of Mr. J. E. Birch, the motor driver. The cost for the materials would be about £20.
Some kind friends have volunteered to give half a day’s work, free of charge, and it is hoped others will offer similar service. The work will be undertaken on a Saturday afternoon very soon.
The committee also appeals to the public of Mornington Peninsula to help financially as soon as possible, as there are only a few more weeks to find provision for the wagon.
Donations will be thankfully received by the committee and acknowledged through the press.
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A Frankston Triumph
To show what pay be accomplished by railway transit, the following may be of interest to local people.
A consignment of tender plants (Asters) was on October 29 dispatched from Frankston station to Gympie, in Northern Queensland.
The attempt to rail such perishable goods in hot weather, so great a distance, was looked upon at the time as absurd.
Word has just been received by Mr. A. Earl, of “Solomon’s Springs,” Frankston, who raised and consigned these plants, that after such a journey they were opened up by Mr. J. W. Stuart “in perfect condition.”
No small amount of praise is due to Mr. Anderson, our local stationmaster, for the promptness of dispatch, and the great interest taken by him in the experiment, which, as far as tender seedlings is concerned, was the first ever attempted to Queensland.
Furthermore, it is a fine triumph for Frankston’s product.
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Brevities
Thirty-one of the local Boy Scouts proceeded to Melbourne on Saturday, with Scoutmaster Thexton in charge, and took part in the march past at Federal Government House, after which they were addressed by Lord Stonehaven, Chief Scout for Australia, and then served with afternoon tea on the lawn.
Keep December 3rd vacant for the special evening at the Mechanics’ Institute, the Somerville Dramatic Society will give “The Morning After,” and the evening will conclude with a dance.
Proceeds in aid of the maintenance of the returned soldiers’ hall. See advt in next issue.
In connection with the old time dances being held in the Mechanics’ Hall, Frankston, a fancy dress ball has been arranged for 18th December.
Next Monday night in the Frankston Palais the illustrated lecturettes, “Round the World”. and “Wonders of Shipping,” by Mr. C. Dickson Gregory, will be given in aid of the 1st Frankston troop Boy Scouts.
On election day motor cars will run from Mile Bridge and corner of Kars and Denbeigh streets. Particulars in advt.
At Flinders Naval Depot on Wednesday, 25th November, a dance will take place, the occasion being the visit of the Australian fleet to Westernport.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 13 November 1925
