MR STEAD’S SORROW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15716, 8 September 1911, Page 6

MR STEAD’S SORROW.

The Federal Primo Minister, Scotchman though ho is, will appreciate tho unconscious humour of tho letter that has been addressed to him by Air W. T. Stead on the subject of the now famous interview. Mr Stead is cony that tho publication of tho interview in the 1 ‘ Review' of Reviews ” caused anyone annoyance, but lie is surprised that his account of his conversation with Mr Fisher should bo called misleading.” “ There was nothing original in tho sentiments expressed,” ho says, “as overy ono knows that should tho question arise no one in the Mother Country would deny tho right of tho self-governing dominions to haul down tho flag rather than bo involved in what they regarded as an unjust war. The right of secession was tho foundation stono upon which tho British Empire was reared.” Evidently Mr Stead is quito unable to understand why hisown conception of wliat “everyone knows ” should not serve as the matured opinion of tho Commonwealth’s Prime Minister. His account of what was admittedly a short and hurried conversation is presented in tho magazine in tho form of a verbatim report, and tho Billy remarks that were quoted in tho cablegrams a few weeks ago do not represent tho full extent of the injustice he did his “victim.” Air Fisher is mado to say, for instance, that a declaration of independence by a dominion would mean “ a riddance of tho risk of being attacked by England’s foes.” Tlio basio fallacy of this view is shown in the editorial columns of the Australasian edition of tho “ Review of Reviews,” which remarks that if the dominions held aloof from a war and Britain were defeated the conqueror, whether European or Asiatic, would be likely to annex them as tho fruits, of victory. Probably Mr Fisher will, realise that any prolongation of the controversy would be useless. Air Stead is too hardened a campaigner to be moved by tho protests of a mere colonial statesman.