THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2371, 29 January 1915, Page 4

THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER

9 The visit to New Zealand of the Australian Prime Minister (Mk. Andrew Fisher) may confidently be expected to be productive of good results. Mr. Fisher, who sails for Sydney to-day, speaks enthusiastically of New Zealand and its people, and has thoroughly enjoyed his tour. It is gratifying to New Zealanders to know that he has passed a pleasant and profitable time among them. He will take back with him their best wishes both for himself and for the great country which he represents. The crisis through which the Empire is at present passing has done much to strengthen the ties which unite the various British communities, and it was only natural that the question of bringing Australia and New Zealand into closer touch with each other should have been given a good deal of prominence in the speeches which Mr. Fisher has made during his stay amongst us. His desire for the extension 6E the sphere of co-operation between the two countries is certainly shared by the vast majority of the people of "New Zealand. In defence matters something has already been achieved in the direction of joint action, and there is every reason to believe that' much more might be done in this matter to the mutual advantage of the Dominion and the Commonwealth. The possibility of placing our trade relations on a more satisfactory footing is also well worthy of sympathetic consideration. These- problems will of_ course require very careful handling if mistakes are to be avoided. ■ Mr. Fisher fully recognises that the people of New Zealand would never consent to-any proposal which would in any way limit their powers of self-government; but it should not bo beyond the powers of statesmanship to devise methods of co-operation and reciprocity which would bo of material benefit to both countries without impairing the autonomy of either. The visit of Mb. Fisher will no doubt help to prepare the way for sonw. definite step towards the realisation of the ideals of closer union which he has so persuasively commended to the consideration of the people of New Zealand. His visit has certainly given us a clearer insight into the mind and temper of our Australian friends as regards a number of important questions, and we hope that he has gained a better understanding of our point of view on the problems to which he has paid special attention during his tour. Everyone will agree with Mr. Fisher's remark that the better the peop'es of Australia and New Zealand know each other the better it will be for both countries. It is therefore to be hoped that interchanges of visits between leading public metf will be of more frequent occurrence in the future than in the past. Statesmen from the Commonwealth, or any other part of the Empire, will always receive a cordial welcome in New Zealand.