MR FISHER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 31 July 1911, Page 5

MR FISHER.

REPUDIATES THE RE POUTED

INTERVIEW

A "GROTESQUE MISREPRESTfNiA-

TION."

3Y CABLE-PRESB ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.

COLOMBO, July 29. Mr Fisher, Commonwealth Prune Minister, arrived this morning, and \\as considerably agitated on iearni ig the sensation that had been caused by tne interview published by .vlr W. .1. Stead, which he described as a "'grotesque misrepresentation." He at once cabled that the Steal leport was grossly misleading. "What h« stated to Mr Stead in a brief and zriirried interview was what he Laci siatod hundreds of times in public synches, namely, tliat the true oV.jeetuo of peace among nations could oni3 r V reached by effective defence. His aim was unity among the British nations. "This can best be obtained,"' he said, "and maintained by trusting his Majesty's Governments in tne Un'ted Kingdom and the Dominions as the responsible Ministers of a ta:nilv of nations."

Referring to the expression "Benl down the flag," "this has never *tfired my mind," he said. "Keep it flying .is my ambition, with all its *»st traditions; nor have I harbored ary idea that Australia wishes to breas away from the Empire. Nor do I wish to escape the duty of defending it.? honor. Such an expression would .iot be disloyalty, but insanity! It womM be brutal and monstrous!"