FEDERAL PREMIER'S RETURN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 3 February 1915, Page 5

FEDERAL PREMIER'S RETURN.

PLEASED WITH NEW ZEALAND. CLOSER RELATIONS ASSURED.By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 2, 9.5 p.m. Sydney, January 2. Hon. Andrew Fisher has arrived. Interviewed, he expressed his thanks to the people of New Zealand for their extreme kindness and the cordiality with which he had been received.' Such generosity had soon convinced him that whatever differences of opinion might exist between sections of New Zealandera and Australians there was no evidence of dislike of Australians. The public men, too, wore generous in expressing their thanks for the services which the Australian fleet had rendered in the Pacific. The cordiality of his 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 i n 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 for reciprocal action. He was more than ever con 7 vinced that the two countries must hang together and fall together. Notwithstanding thV twelve hundred reasons for separation, he found New Zealanders open-minded, declaring that they would welcome closer relationship. Regarding Imperial and inter-Dominion conferences he found that his views coincided with those of the Massey Government, who urged that it was not possible to hold 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.