Mr Fisher.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 July 1911, Page 4

Mr Fisher.

AM) TH.IO JJIMT.ISH LAJJOU.II . PAIITY. COM) DO I" OHM TOR Ml? KIKIJ IJAIIDIK. T'lio J Jon. Andrew Fisher. Premier of Australia, iifcoinpaniot! by Alis Fisher and I lis son, visited Kilmarnock, his native district, on Thursday, last week. In the evening the Ayrshire .Miners' I'liion entertained Mr Fisher at dinner in Kilmarnock. Mr Kier llardie, who presided, said, in \volooming Mr Fisher, that he had witnessed the arrival in London on Menday of two persons, eaeli of whom met with ;\ reception. One represented an 'order of limits that was passing away, and lire other ;ui order of things thai was coming to lie. One was the German lOmperor, who IM<:iM?l\S!'.\TKI) KIXGC'U-AI'T. the rule of the sword, and the dnininauce of a class. The- other was Andrew Fisher, who mom than any other public man he knew represented the force that was coiningthe rule of the common people. Mr Fisher, in reply, said thai in 18!W he entered the Queensland. State Parliament, ami since then a nation had been horn in the shape of the Commonwealth of Australia. That the Constitution was- an unqualified success he would not admit. That the Commonwealth would require to have greater powers he asserted as he had done hel'ore. Within the Constitution they had. been able, however, to pa.-- into law an Act to improve land taxation and an invalidity and old-age pensions Act. W'her: by they gave to women of (il) air! men oi'iio lUs a week, an!

they earn another 10s fnr thoinselves. The amount at ilie present ti-no ':.ein«z; paid iiy the Government was over two millions, and it would he an inereasino; amnunt. }<\v Fisher relWrcd to rennirks >vliid!] .Mr Kier Mar lie had made-ou AI'.sTU.VUAN XAVAI. I'OMCY. He said that, strongly as lie held with .Mi' Kier liardie in most tilings he disagreed with him on that. .it was easy to ,<dt in Uritain and say that naval det'enoe was not necessary. Let any one pirk up a map and .see how the irreat continent lying in the South Pacific was surrounded, and. let him think, and it he came to _ the opinion similar to that of Mr Kier llardie, then he was wanting in perspective judgment. There wer* 1 two logieal positions that appeared to him. They could say that they would not raise a. hand against the agurcs.so.-s. If they came and took tiiev word;! not he offended. On the other hand, they co'iild .say to the ;;ggressor. ''TTriv, in these dominions, as in the Mother Country, you are all free tu en I ■ v praetieally with U'W limitatinrs. You will all share -.dike when you do entiT. hut the govoninu'iu of our country i< on justice nnd equity, and we wid en. ry it out in cur own way." Teat was ilie p->-i----tion tliev i;■;!•; up. au'i wlriterer the l.nliour leaders mi/riit :-ay he". he would a>k them not io pre>c:ih' lo i hem ill .'.' ! ,-' i a! ; • i' eir : 'i ; i-

lie would be suit if he, in hi-, responsible capacity as I'HIMF MIXISTKI! OF VFSTIi VT.IA was to stand idly i.-v an'! -;• - Australia wholly uiulcfe.'idc! cither from within or without. Bv doii:.f so, !vp would fee] t1,.,. he 1r -1 -1 been criminally neclicv 'nt of one <>!' his first, duties. He Mas noitv tea: he lv.id h-en caiiv ('-.,,■ „ t h - e;::!y to real wish this inncriant matier, but it just .show; d ihe broad view that th.' domini'-i:, '...: ' the : i .!,; ' ■•, s.a;vrrn themselves in i.'e-ir ov, n w.i v equally with the M-.;her Couu'tv. They had set i heir fa- i s-. a.> a ;v i: strmiiiiy ;'gni"sr inter!': riin/ with the M:;t'v. :■ Country'-, af-air- whether they were hiea! or nafi■■!!;:]. wwl it niiivju !,;.-> Wi.llj',,l- th.-m in Australia if :.!;:■ Mo! her C er.ti'v reciprocitad in. the -ame way. - The- London Times.