FEDERATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 37, 26 January 1912, Page 5

FEDERATION.

Mll FISHER INTERVIEWED BY A NEW ZEALANDER. THE'QUESTION OF DEFENCE. Melbourne, January 25. In the course of an interview with Mr Hoben, of the Palmerston Times, Mr Fisher elaborated his ideas in regard to closer relations with New Zealand. For many years he had hold the view that everything should be done to forward this. His party was fully with him in the matter, as was shown at the Hobart Labour Conference, where his motion in favour of closer political, industrial and commercial relations with New Zealand was seconded by the Hon. McGowen (Premier of the senior State) and carried unanimously. He said the New Zealand Government should be approached to see what were the best steps to take to carry it into effect. He regretted that New Zealand was not coming into the Commonwealth, but whatever difficulties there might be against federation should be cornolcted by co-operation. In the matter of defence, he hoped a few years hence New Zealand would see its way to assist in making the Australian navy an Australasian navy by building vessels of their own. Apart from this he considered there should bo very full reciprocity between the Dominion and the Commonwealth, amounting even to free trade. They must mutually gain in strength and wealth if productions were freely interchanged.

(Received 26, 8.5 a.m.) Melbourne, January 26

Mr Fisher in his interview with Mr Hoben pointed out that reciprocity would build up a great shipping trade and cause a constant interchange of people and the intermarriage of two peoples having so much in common. Mr Seddon’s reciprocal agreement did not go far enough to show the bona fides. Mr Fisher said he was prepared to take the fitet practical step by entering into a reciprocal arrangement about old age pensions. There were many ex-Australians in New Zealand who were technically barred there through residence conditions, and New Zealanders in Australia were similarly disqualified. He was willing to reciprocate by removing such disabilities, so that the pension schemes of the two countries might meet all legitimate Australasian eases. This would bogin just so soon as the necessary legislation could be passed by either side. He hoped that such a step would lead to reciprocity on other matters to material advantage.