"Guardian" Office.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8445, 12 August 1911, Page 6

"Guardian" Office.

i , August 12, 1911. Among Australasian newspapers, c.o far as we have, seen, the "Guardian' was the only one that defended the probable accuracy of Mr W. T. Stead's report of his interview with rhe Premier of the Commonwealth, and suggested that Mr Fisher, on finding that he had been indiscreet, had adopt,ed the usual device of the politician in such circumstances and had blamed the reporter. The " Guardian " also ventured to predict that Mr Fisher's tono would change when he reached Australia. Events are proving that we weve pretty nearly correct. Mr Stead has affirmed the absolute accuracy of his report and has further alleged, as «-o did, that there was nothing either new or alarming in what Mr Fisher said— natlnng v insane, brutal or monstrous." It would seem*, .that the "proof" of; the interview sent ior Mr; Fisher' S; revision miscarried and he was thus prevented train exercising the right of. revising his utterances and reducing them to what he wished he had said instead of a record of what he actually said. We. trust those public men and .journals who accused Mr Stead of " inventing '' the interview or who indulged in silly gibes about " spooks " are now thoroughly ashamed of themselves.