THE HON. ANDREW FISHER

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 25, 30 January 1915, Page 8

THE HON. ANDREW FISHER

RECIPROCITY WITH AUSTRALIA. Per Press (Association. Wellington, January 29. Mr Andrew Fisher (Prime Minister of the Commonwealth), Mr I). R. Hall (Attorney-General for New South Wales), and Mr J. A. Boyd (member of the Federal Senate) left this evening by the Ulimaroa on their return to Sydney. This morning Mr Fisher received a number of deputations from people interested in various phases of political and social activity. This afternoon Mr Fisher gave a lunch at Bellamy's, to which were invited Mr Mnssey and members of the Cabinet, the Mayor. Messrs W. A. Veitch, M.P., E. H. Hiley, E. McKenzie (president of the Trades and Labor Council), and others.

Speaking to a reporter of Mr Fisher's visit, the Prime Minister said that he and the Cabinet had discussed a number of important questions with Mr Fisher. One of them was reciprocity between the two countries. "I have not the slightest doubt," said Mr Massey, "that some more satisfactory arrangement than at present exists can be made between the two countries when the proper opportunity arrives." They also discussed, he said, the question of the naval defence of the Pacific but no definite arrangement was made. Very little, he pointed out, could be done until the Imperial Conference, hut in the meanwhile the two Governments had had the opportunity of exchanging ideas on the subject.

"THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN IN THE PACIFIC." (Received 9.20 a.m.) , Sydney, January 30. The Telegraph, in a leader commenting on Mr Fisher's visit, urges the necessity of reciprocity and a mutual systematising of the defence policies. "Australia," the paper says, "is at present hearing practically the whole of the white man's burden in the Pacific, although New Zealand's interest is practically identical in securing the disappearance of Germany from Polynesia. The addition of New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago has increased Australia's tropical responsibilities, and the time is ripening for concerted action."