I do not suppose Mr.Edmunds meant the number six to be taken literally.

But he is a gentleman certainly never given to flattery or empty compliment.

So I think I might call him as a witness that, in his time, so far as hard work is concerned I did my best.
I am not quite so confident that he would testify to the wisdom of my course on all occasions.
I did not, as I have said, expect when I entered to remain in public life more than one term.

But I became interested in the bill known as the National Education Bill, and accepted another election with a view to doing what I could to carry that through.

At the end of the next term I announced my purpose to withdraw.