INTERCOMMUNICATION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2376, 4 February 1915, Page 6

INTERCOMMUNICATION

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Sydney, February 3. Mr. Fisher urged the need of strengthening intercommunication between Australia and New Zealand in various ways. He hoped each country would become the playing ground of the other. Ho advocated larger interchange of news in tho Press, cheaper cable rates, and such changes as would help to develop the growing appreciation of the vital needs of each country for the other.

_ Ho wa-s much impressed with the seriousness of the New Zealanders regarding the war. The Dominions 1 prosperity and security in war time were something new in the world's history, and this was probably due to the sea. being practically free of the enemy. Now Zealand's naval enthusiasm was bound to develop. It should be clearly uiidei stood that a Dominion Navy would not necessarily be under joint administration, provided the fleets met occasionally for point training. There wat a growing feeling that the basic pnuciplo of the Australian Fleet wm a sound one. The people realise thai their island country can only be successfully defended by the Navy, an<l he believed they were beginning to feel it their duty to provide for that defence directly in ships and men under practically the same conditions as Australia. Asked if he looked forward to a I'ocific Fleet, Mr. Fisher said: "Our nearest neighbour should receive cur first attention, but the vision of the Government is not limited to New Zealand. I hope to co-operate also with Canada and South Africa."