THE HON. A. FISHER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1915, Page 3

THE HON. A. FISHER.

INTERVIEWED .ON HIS RETURN. United Press Association. Sydney, February 2. Hon. Andrew Fisher has arrived. Interviewed, he expressed his thanks to the people of New Zealand for their extreme kindnss and the cordiality with which ho had been received. Such generosity had soon convinced him that whatever differences of opinion might exist between sections ol New Zealanders and Australians there was no evidence ol dislike of Australians. The public men, too, were generous in expressing their thanks.for the services which the Australian fleet had rendered in the Pacific.

Tlie cordiality of las reception had exceeded his expectations, and he was convinced that they were near some understanding in regard to defence, reciprocal trade, and other matters of mutual interest. Owing to the political situation in New Zealand he was unable to speak definitely on defence questions. All parties were interested in reciprocity and in some directions this was assured. He had found unanimity upon the question of interchange of visits of public men, which should be arranged. Questioned regarding Australian Federation, he said that it was not an essential condition of such defence and trade legislative agreements as we can deal with at present. It was for the New Zealanders to say how far they wish to go short of the federation. There was abundant room or reciprocal action. He was more than ever convinced that the two countries must hang together and fall together. Notwithstanding the twelve hundred miles which separated Australia and New Zealand, he found the New Zealanders open-minded, declaring that they would welcome closer relationship. N Regarding Imperial and inter-Do? miiiiou conferences, he found that his views'coincided with those of the Massey Government, who urged that it was not possible to hojd.an Imperial Conference this year, but the opportunity'should be embraced for an Australasian Conference to deal with important matters arising out of the war and future closer relationship. \

REC IP RpCAt RELATiqNS WITH NEW ZEALAND. QUESTION OF DOMINION NAVY. Lnii»d Pe||l Absocutioh. (Received 9 a.in.) Sydney, February 3. Mr Fisher urged the need of strengthening in-communication between Australia and New Zealand in various ways. Hp hoped each country would .become the playing ground of the other, and advocated a larger interchange of,news in the press and cheaper cable rates. Such changes,’l)e said, would help in developing The growing appreciation of the vital, needs of each country for the other. ;Ife was much impressed with the seriousness of New Zealanders regarding the war. The Dominion’s prosperity and security in .war time was a new circumstance in the world’s history, and was,probably due to the sea being practically free of the enemy. New Zealand’s naval enthusiasm was bound to develop. It should he clparly understood that a Dominion navy was not necessarily under the point of administration, provided the .flpets inept occasionally for joint training. There was a growing feeling that the basic principle of an Ansi tralian fleet was a sound one. The people realise that their island country can only he successfully defended by a navy. Mr Fisher believes that they are beginning to feel it is their duty to provide for that defence directly in ships and men under practically the i .same conditions as Australia. Asked if lie looked forward to a pacific Fleet, Mr Fisher said: “Our nearest neighbour should receive our first attention, but the vision of the Government is not limited to New Zealand, and I hope to co-operate also with Canada ami South Africa.”