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William Morris Hughes was born in London in 1864. After being educated in Llandudno, he emigrated to Australia in 1884. Ten years later he was elected to represent the Labour Party in the New South Wales Parliament.

Hughes became Attorney-General in the 1910 Labour Government and succeeded Andrew Fisher as prime minister in October 1915. He left the Labour Party in the November 1916 after a dispute caused by his decision to introduce conscription.

Hughes continued to lead a coalition government after leaving the Labour Party and represented Australia at the Versailles Peace Conference. Hughes views on Asians at the conference caused resentment to non-white delegates.

In the early 1930s Hughes formed the United Australian Party and served in the government as Minister of External Affairs (1937-390, Attorney-General (1939-41) and Minister of the Navy (1940-41). William Morris Hughes died in 1952.

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(1) William Hughes, speech quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald (15th December 1915)

We must put forth all our strength. The more Australia sends to the front the less the danger will be to each man. Not only victory, but safety belongs to the big battalions.

Australia turns to you for help. Fifty thousand additional troops are to be raised to form the new units of the expeditionary forces. Sixteen thousand men are required each month for reinforcements at the front.

This Australia of ours, the freest and best country on God's earth, calls to her sons for aid. Destiny has given to you a great opportunity. Now is the hour when you can strike a blow on her behalf. If you love your country, if you love freedom, then take your place alongside your fellow-Australians at the front, and help them to achieve a speedy and glorious victory.

On behalf of the Commonwealth Government, and in the name of the people of Australia, I ask you to answer 'Yes' to this appeal, and do your part in this greatest war of all time.

(2) William Hughes, speech quoted in the The Age (13th November 1917)

October 28, 1916, was a black day for Australia: it was a triumph for the unworthy, the selfish, and anti-British in our midst. It was a triumph for the insidious propaganda that had been actively at work in every Allied country since the war began. Our troops in the trenches were taunted by the enemy - "Australians, your comrades have deserted you." The defeat was interpreted by those sections amongst us who had led the campaign as proof that Australia was war weary, that their campaign of lies and poisonous propaganda had done its work sufficiently, and not only misled the electors on this one question, but had sapped their loyalty to the Empire.