SIR GEORGE REID AND MR. FISHER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2572, 21 September 1915, Page 6

SIR GEORGE REID AND MR. FISHER

AN OFFER THAT ANNOYED FEDERAL MINISTERS THE AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP Br Tulcsrapli—Press Association—ConyrijjM Melbourne, September 20. Commenting on Sir George Reid's offer to continue as High Commissioner without salary, Mr. Andrew Fisher said, that Australia- was not a petitioner for relief, and it would be a mistake to placo it in that category.

London, September 19.. The "Daily Chronicle" publishes its Molbourno correspondent's message, stating that Sir George Roid's offer to fill the duties of the High Commissionersbip without salary till the end of tlio war had incensed tho Federal Ministers partly bccauso of the implied suggestion that Australia was impecunious. It.also quotes Mr. Fisher's dictum that it' would bo a mistake for any. official to place Australia in tho category of a petitioner for relief, and adds:— "Mr. Fisher is generally regarded as Sir George lleid's probable successor." > Sir George Reid, in an interview, stated that he liacl cabled his offer on these 'terms: "Tlio increasing gravity of the situation, and tho certainty that critical times are ahead which will task to the utmost tho best statesmanship at tlje hclni of political affairs, has prompted mo to consider what I can do ill tho present crisis to show my gratitudo to the Commonwealth, and my willingness to help. May I offer the Government,' without intrusion or offence, my services in Loudon until the end of the war without salary f"

He now adds: "I cannot believe that tho'Australian Ministers will regard this offer as an aspersion on tho financial soundness of the Commonwealth. During a long life, nobody has done moro to vindicate Australia's magnificent financial position than I. Nobody ever dreamt of.regarding Lord Strathcona's offer to serve Canada without salary as an aspersion on Canada's financial resources, or put Canada in tho position of a petitioner for relief. . Tho point of my offer was that Australia's best men—and it is incredible that an inferior man would be appointed High Commissioner—should be left free to servo her where she can best be served in tho present crisis—namely, in Australia. I supposed that my offer would enable that to be done. Tho help offered was not three thousand a year, but my services."

Sir George Reid added: "Tho act was not an act of financial relief,' but a slight proof of personal gratitude and goodwill, feelings which nobody grudged to the late High Commissioner for Canada (Lord Strathcona)."