RETURN OF MR AND NEW FISHER

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1921, Page 3

RETURN OF MR AND NEW FISHER

UNKNOWN POLITICAL QUANTITY. SYDNEY, March 22. There was a quaint scene last week on the Melbourne railway station on the arrival of the Adelaide express. Mr Andrew 'Fisher, a former Prime Minister, and lately High Commissioner, arrived from London, and arrayed on the platform to meet him were the foremost representatives of the rival political parties. Fully half the Cabinet Ministers (Nationalist) were there;’ while Mr Frank Tudor, leader of the ( Labour Opposition, with several ot his henchmen, was also well in the loreground. Mr Fisher was no sooner off the train than he was greeted with enthusiasm, and as a colleague, hv both parties. The Ministers demonstratively shook i hands with him; Mr Tudor called lor. three cheers for him. The Ministers on behalf of the country, expressed appreciation of his London services; Mr, Tudor expressed gratification at the return of “a great Labour statesman. A Labour Government was in power when early in the war Mr l'isher handed over the reins to Mr Hughes and, went to London as High Commissioner. The leading Ministers then are still in . power, but as Nationalists, while La- . hour is in Opposition. The question therefore was; Where is Dir l'isher go- ( ing, with his former colleagues, or with , Labour? There is very little doubt that Mr l'isher is going with Labour, and that lie intends to re-enter polities in this ! country. Although he was High Comi missioner to the Nationalist Govern- ) ment, it is well known that he fought . consistently with Mr Hughes, and, in \ the end, was practically ignored by that autocratic little statesman. As , a political opponent, however, ho is not to bo feared, Ho becarno a Labour