A HOME IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17556, 23 August 1920, Page 5

A HOME IN AUSTRALIA.

LORD FORSTER'S HOPES.

NO THOUGHT OF EXILE., Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Becd. 7.30 p-m.) LONDON, Aug. 20.

At- a farewell luncheon to ■ Lord Forster, Governor-General designate of Australia, 5 and Lady Forster, ■ held at > Australia House, Mr. Andrew ~ Fishier, High

Commissioner, proposing the health of the guests, paid a tribute to Lord Forster's work as : a Cabinet Minister, while the fame of his attainments in sport, said Mr. Fisher, would remain as long as such tilings were read. Lord Forster had given to Britain in a time of stress all that a man could give. > A homely welcome awaited him in Australia. _; > * - .■-,'.,.

Lord Forster said he believed .the- Australians were as straight as a die" and ready to form a close friendship with people who were . .willing to be friends.! .Some ; one had asked- him . whether he I would not mind going into exile. He replied: - "Exile, why/; 1V am going 'to J my new home and taking ray daughters and grandchildren with. me. If we cannot make a very real hosae in one of the prime jewels of the Empire it will be our own fault."

Lord Penman, a * former GovernorGeneral, proposed Mr. Fisher's health. He paid a warm tribute to Mr. Fisher's work in Australia and London. " There are people here," said Lord Penman, "who think that it will not be long before England will have a Labour Government, of which some ' express horror. - I' have endeavoured to assure them' from my Australian experience that if leaders in this country are as straightforward and devoted, to their country's and the Empire's interest as Mr. Fisher's Government, England will not greatly suffer from a Labour Government." ; ■ < , ''