RECIPROCITY QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15801, 26 December 1914, Page 4

RECIPROCITY QUESTION.

DOMINION AND AUSTRALIA.

MR. A. FISHER'S MISSION. NAVAL DEFENCE POLICY. CLOSER TRADE RELATIONS. By Telegraph Press AssociationCopyright(Received December 25, 7.30 p.m.) Stdxet, December 25. Peiob to his departure' for New Zealand, Mr. Andrew Fisher, Federal Prime Minister, stated that he earnestly desired to see the two countries linked closer in the bonds of national sisterhood. He intends to confer with the leading public men in the Dominion with a view of the inauguration of a comprehensive scheme of reciprocal relations, especially in regard to naval defence. Mr. Fisher says that he expects to have little difficulty in persuading New Zealand that the combined efforts of the two countries to provide the best means of defence in the Pacific are of the greatest value in an Imperial sense and that it s desirable that triers should bo an immediate opening cf reciprocal trade relations, which should be placed upon surer and more cordial lines, based upon reciprocity and national sisterhood.

Mr. Fisher also proposes, whilst he is in New Zealand, to discuss the question cf reciprocity in the compilation of the statistics of both countries, and the establishment of elaborate statistical departments, instead of each country ignoring the other.