AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

Mataura Ensign, 26 January 1912, Page 6

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

MR FISHER INTERVIEWED. MELBOURNE, Jan. 25. Li ths course of an interview with Mr Hoben, of the 'Manawatu Times' {New Zealand) Mr Fisher (Commonwealth Premier) elaborated his ideas in regard to closer relations with New Zealand. For many years, he said, he had held the view that everything should be done to forward this aim. The party was fully with him in the matter, as had been shown at the Hobart Labor Conference, where his motion in favor of closer political, industrial and commercial relations with New Zealand was seconded by Mr McGowen, Premier of the senior Stateand was carried unanimously. The New Zealand Government would be approached to see what were the best steps to carry tbe scheme into effect. Be regretted that New Zealand was not coming into tbe Commonwealth; but whatever the difficulties might be | against federation, there should be ! complete co-operation in the matter !of defence. He hoped that a few years hence New Zealand would sco its way to assist in making the Australian navy an Australasian navy by building vessels of her own. Apart from this be considered that there should bo very full reciprocity between the Dominion and the Commonwealth, a mount in 2; even to freetrade, they nnr,t miitu'd'y gain in strength and wealth if productions were freely interchanged.

A MODEL SUBURB

SYDNEY, Jan. 25. The Cabinet ha-s approved of Mr Dacey's scheme for workmen's cw I '- in?s.* The Government m.-del fculinvh will be established at Kensington estate, 400 acres being divided into 3-T allotments est hunted to provide bor-c-r. for 5000. Liberal provision is made for recreation reserves and public building* The work on. the estate is in full swing. A MAN ELECTROCUTED. SYDNEY, Jan. 25. A man named Jones, when working with an electric rock driller, was fatally electrocuted. He was standing on the wet framework of the motor; and vibration caused the drill to fall across [the mctor and so form a current j through Jones' body. Jones' mate in i trying to release him sustained two I severe shocks.