HON ANDREW FISHER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2345, 30 December 1914, Page 6

HON ANDREW FISHER

A CORDIAL WELCOME

RELATIONS WITH NEW ZEALAND. (By Telcer&Dh.—PreES Association.! Auckland, Decemßer 29. _ Ihe Hon. Andrew Fisher, Prime Minlster of the Commonwealth, was entertained at a civic reception torday, 150 leading citizens attending. Mr. C. J. Parr, C.M.G., Mayor, said that the visit came at a 'most opportune time, because the two countries had never been closer together. To-day under the shadow of tho Pyramids New Zealand l soldiers were camped side by side with their Australian brothers, ready to go to war whenover the Empire called.

The Right Hon. W. F. Massey said both oountrios had' much to gain from a reciprocal agreement in matters of commerce. While he did not agree with everything appearing in the agreement drawn up when the New Zealand Minister of Customs visited Australia, hoi' hoped that it would be given proper.;' consideration, and good would come out of it. Ho believed that many thousands' could be saved by an agreement with respect of silver coinage. It would, be to. the interests of both countries : to < join together for the protection of tho mutual interests of their shores in the • South Pacific.

"I bring," said Mr. Fisher,' "most cordial greetings and goodwill from'the people of Australia to the peoplo of' New Zealand. 1 have no mission" except that we here and they there may with' common interest feel that we should take common action in all things thai concern the welfare of the whole.'' Mr. Fisher said lie wished it to be Tinderstood by the people of New Zealand that ho and his fellow Australians did not. desire to force their views on us in any way. Matters relating to commercial reciprocity must of course be with representatives of the Government, but if they failed to come to an agreement the people of New Zealand could rest assured that 110 trace of feelingwould be left .behind in Australia. ■ Speaking on the naval question; Mri Fisher said he believed that naval reciprocity was, necessary for our protection. The fates of New Zealand and Australia were irrevocably wound,and would continue to be so ever after the great peace. In Australia they were training New Zealanders-for land and sea defences.' They would come back to New Zealand having imbibed. Australian sentiment. He hoped the time was not distant when New Zealand would.be doing the same thing for Australia, tins bringing about' a reciprocal, feeling whicl'' would-strengthen ' fchera all.