STATESMAN DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 492, 23 October 1928, Page 9

STATESMAN DEAD

ANDREW FISHER, AUSTRALIA MINER TO PRIME MINISTER (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service J Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Monday. The Right Hon. Andrew Fisher, • P.C., died on Sunday night, aged 66 years. He was a former Prime Minister of Australia. For some months he had been failing steadily.' He developed a severe attack of influenza last week, and heart weakness was manifested. The doctor held out no hope for his recovery, and he died peacefully at nine in the morning. The flag was half-masted at Australia House. An official inquiry has been cabled to Mr. Bruce whether he desires to accord Mr. Fisher a State funeral. Mr. Andrew Fisher was born at Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, in 1862. He worked there for some years as a miner, going to Queensland in 1885. He entered the Queensland Parliament in 1893: Minister of Railways in Dawson Ministry; represented Wide Bay in the Commonwealth Pari .ament for the first 15 years of the Parliament; Minister for Trade and Customs, Comma .wealth of Australia. 1904; Header of Federal Parliamentary Labour Party, 1907-15; Prime Miniser, Australia, 190 S-9; Leader of Federal Opposition. 1909-10; Prime Minister. 1910-13 and 1914-15; represented Australia at opening of Union Parliament, South Africa, 1910; at Imperial Conference. 1911, and at Coronation of King George V; High Commissioner of Australia in England. 1916-21. He was an honest and capable leader. MR. BRUCE’S REGRET CONSPICUOUS SERVICE TO COMMONWEALTH (United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.45 p.m. SYDNEY, To-day. The Prime Minister. Mr. Stanley Bruce, who is in Adelaide, expressed deep regret at the death of Mr. ; Andrew Fisher, who, he said, had \ rendered conspicuous service to Australia. He was probably the most popular Labour Prime Minister since the advent of the commonwealth, added Mr. Bruce.