siasm lacked,
and the officers and men were sick at heart.

As it was expedient for General Owen to notify the Imperial Government as
to his future movements, he thought it advisable to approach Mr.
Playford, then Minister of Defence, on the subject of the two years'
extension. The Hon. Thomas Playford, popularly known as "Honest Tom," had
been brought up working on his father's market garden, which was situated
in the hills not far from Morialta, the home of the Bakers. He was a
great, tall, powerful, heavy man, much above the average size. At their
interview General Owen referred to the terms of his agreement and
diplomatically sought to discover whether the Government were agreeable
to the two years' extension. As I have pointed out, the general's term of
office had not been too happy a one. The report of the Commissions and
the discussions in Parliament had given rise to a considerable amount of
friction and many adverse comments in the Press. Mr. Playford pointed out
to him that as Parliament was to be prorogued before Christmas he thought
it advisable not to settle the question for the time being. He suggested
that the general should reopen it after the prorogation. The Government
would then be in recess, and as the House would not be sitting, no
disagreeable questions could be raised by members. By making no final
decision before the prorogation he, as Minister, was in a position, in
case questions were asked, to reply that nothing had been decided, and
that the matter was under the consideration of the Government. The
general told me about this interview, and, talking it over, we came to
the conclusion--especially as Mr. Playford had suggested to the general
not to press for an answer just then--that he wished to reopen
negotiations after the prorogation of the House, and that it was his
intention to agree to the extension.

Parliament was prorogued. The general then sent an official letter to Mr.
Playford, reopening the matter, concluding with a statement to the effect
that if the Government were agreeable he, on his part, was prepared to
carry on. He received no acknowledgment of his letter, but he did read
next morning in the papers a statement, evidently inspired, to the effect
that "the Commandant, General Owen, had notified the Ministerial head of
the Department that he was willing to continue his duties for two years
if the Government so desired. The Government, however, did _not_ see
their way to meet t