THE TOURING MINISTERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 980, 22 November 1910, Page 5

THE TOURING MINISTERS.

■ _ NEW ZEALAND .AND AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. . V ' Cape Town, November 20. '. The' Mayor of Johannesburg, in toasting Messrs. Fisher and IWlds, thanked their respective Governments for sending representatives to the South African Union colcbrations. ■ Mr. Fisher, in responding, said ho hoped the South African Premier would one day accept an invitation to visit Australia. Ho welcomed tho suggestion of closer union with New Zealand, as all tho interests of the countries of. tho southern seas wero alike. History would show whether Australia, close to tho gates of a great Asiatic empire, had done wrong in insisting on tho training . of every youth to arms. They had to take measures for defence, and the inculcation of a national sontiment. That was tho reason for .their, navy. If it cost ten million it would have to bo provided. Ho believed the people of Australia wero prepared to pay tho price.

Mr. Fowlds said there wcro many reasons why New Zealand should maintain a position, of.splendid isolation. If tho people of South Africa only emulated tho spirit of generosity, which prompted the statesmen of Britain to make- the union possible, they must go forward and prosper. He urged justice towards the natives. ■-' ■ .