THE FEDERAL PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 203, 4 February 1915, Page 2

THE FEDERAL PREMIER.

PROBLEM OF THE PACIFIC I DISCUSSED. CANADIAN CO-OPERATION HOPED ' FOR. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, February 3. Mr Fisher urged the need of strengthing inter-communication between Australia and New Zealand in various ways. He hoped that each country would become the. playing-ground of the other. He advocated a larger interchange of news iji the press and cheaper cable rates. Such changes would help in developing the growing appreciation of the vital needs of each country by the other. He was much impressed by the seriousness of New Zealanders regarding the war. The prosperity and security of the Dominions in war time was a new circumstance in the world's history. It was probably due to the fact that the sea was practically free from the enemy. New Zealand's naval enthusiasm was bound to develop. It should be clearly understood that a Dominion navy would not necessarily be under joint administration, provided the fleets meet occasionally for joint training. There was a growing feeling that the basic principle of an Australian fleet was a sound one. The people realise that their island country can only be successfully defended by a navy Mr Fisher believed that they were beginning to feel it was their duty to provide for that defence directly in ships and men under practically the" same conditions as Australia. Asked if he 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. We hope, to co-operate also with Canada and South Africa."