MR. ANDREW FISHER IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2688, 7 February 1916, Page 5

MR. ANDREW FISHER IN LONDON

A BIG RECEPTION STIRRING SPEECHES AT A BANQUET By Telegraph—Presa .Association—Oopy right (Rec. February 6, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 5. Mr. Andrew Fisher, the Commonwealth High Commissioner, was banqueted by the Agents-General. There was a. big gathering, inoluding Sir Thomas Mackenzie, N.Z. High Commissioner. Mr. Bonar Law (Secretary of State : for the Colonies), in proposing the toast of the evening, referred to the important part played by the Dominions in the war. Our enemies never expected them to render such help. Everybody throughout the Empire was proud of them, and Anzac and Gallipoli would bo enshrined forever by what the Australians, and New Zealanders had done. Gallipoli looked down on the Plains of Troy, but there was nothing of which Homer, sang that could exceed in nobility and glory the deeds of the gallant Australians and New Zealanders. The campaign had not succeeded, but it had not been in vain. It would be remembered forever as the beginning of the growth to manhood of Australia and New Zealand. We waited anxiously to hear what Australasia would say regarding the evacuation, and. though there had been disappointment there had been no reproaches. It is not too much to say that- the deeds of the Australians and New Zealanders were more familiar to the people of Britain than the work of some of their own regiments. It had been said that we are a decadent ■ people,, but the fact that we are prepared to pay the last sacrifices for tli© honour of tlio old flag disproves this.' ,We shall see this : through to the end—to a successful end, as in times past we have seen other things through. The issue" is whether the free institutions and everything for which the Empire stands can survive ugainst iron rule and military despotism. The principles of this country are not naturally the best instrument for war. They have to be adapted, and it is because of this there lias been so much talk. He would not admit that we deserved the talk about our muddling- through. Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, paid a tribute to the Australians' and New Zealanders' splendid efforts to assist the Motherland, thus justifying their defencS policy. No troops had fought with greater determination and bravery. After his visit to -Anzac ho had the utmost admiration for their wonderful exploits. The Empire need never be afraid while sho has such men. Mr. .Fisher, in responding, said Australia did not want praise. What sho had done was only to help the Motherland to win the war. Australia had two messages for the enemy. First, from all corners of the Commonwealth recruits were pouring in. Second, Australians were largely over-subscribing their war loans._ He would gladly ioin tho representatives of the other Dominions in givine service or advice either by consultation or council, or otherwise. The present was not the time for criticism, hut the time to cease regarding colonials as . esotic. "You ought to tell the Dominions what you really mean." He thought the 1 hest results would come from one of those freo talks which had .done so " much to weld the Empire.