ANOTHER VERSION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 26, 31 July 1911, Page 7

ANOTHER VERSION.

! STEAD-FISHER INTERVIEW. | AUSTRALIAN PREMIER'S STATEMENT A GSOTfiSQUB MISREPRESENTATION. , HE WISHES TO KEEP THE FLAG FLYING. 6* i'elegfaph.-.fresß Asweiation.-Cdpftliht* COLOMBO, 29th July. . Mr. Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia, arrived here this morning on his way home to the Commonwealth from London. Mr. Fifiher wad conaiderably agitated on learning of the Sensation caused by the interview with him published in the Review of Reviews, and described it a» a grotesque misrepresentation.' He a* once cabled to Mr. Stead, editor of the magazine, stating that the report was' grossly misleading. Mr. Fisher declares that what he said to Mr. Stead was a few brief words in a hurried interview. He merely stated /What he had stated hundreds of .times in his public speeches, namely, thai the objective of Labour Waa peace among the nations in their world policy, and one of effective defence with the aim oi unity among the British nations. This_ could beet be attained and maintained by trusting His Majesty's Government m the United Kingdom and the Dominions, ac the responsible Minister of a family of nations. Referring to the expression in the ftnblished interview of "Haul down the flag," Mr. Fisher said :— "This has neyer entered my mind. To keep it flying is my ambition, with all its best traditions. Nor have I harboured any idea that Australia would break away from the Empire. Nor do 1 wish to escape the duty of defending its honour. Such e*pr*«nons would aot be 4k« loyalty, but insahity. "They would be brutal and monstrous. 1 '