MR FISHER ON DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7446, 22 May 1911, Page 6

MR FISHER ON DEFENCE

Tho Prime Minister of Australia is saying many, things on the other side of the line ana ills words are being listened to with respectful attention. Among these is the statement of his views regarding defence of his country. Curiously enough it is tho only subject on which- he had occasion to feel some little diffidence, but just as downright is Mr Fisher to his friends as to his opponents. Mr Fisher realises that his countrymen of Australia have a magnificent inheritance in their territory and in their free institutions. He is very much aware that they are in tho neighbourhood of nations of vast numbers who one day not far distant will be wanting elbow room; some of whom indeed, as was plainly stated by one of their most trusted ministers but tho other day, regard the whole world as the happy hunting ground to which they have the right of entry by the brotherhood of nations. He is further aware that the Australian States have proclaimed a doctrine —“White Australia” —which is not likely to be popular with these powerful neighbours. It is a' situation which permits of -as little hesitation as doubt. It calls for vigourous action. Hence the acceptance’ of the highest ideal of citizen duty from one end of Australia to the other. That acceptance the Continent owes to the Labour party, which was the first to see tho need for compulsory service, and also the first to move for its adoption in their country, Australians have a splendid country, rich in soil, minerals, climate, scenery, everything that makes for the .comfort of nations. They enjoy a measure of freedom which obtains nowhere else—except in the other overseas Dominions of tho British Empire. They have therefore determined that .as long as blood flows in their veins they will stand for tho defence of these privileges against all possible comers. Lt is a noble conception of citizen duty which the Labour Prime Minister has given to tho world in the speeches he has recently made in the capital of tho Empire. Labour will understand him very clearly. Whatever it may think of the present position in England, its members will see that among Australians and other oversea people there is a real duty to fight for their country. All Labour is not opposed to service now, nor does tho opposition doctrine embrace all the more advanced thinkers who are trying ’to drag Labour into desperate schemes of anarchy. The Australian Prime Minister has cut across the situation with a bright light from the democracy of his adopted country, and men cannot choose but hear. Presently every patriot will see the logic of tho position, which- is that under certain circumstances, such as Australia finds herself in, military service for the defence of the Fatherland becomes a necessity. The Australian Prime Minister is doing a great service to the Empire by his visit to England, for his presence .enables men, to realise how a Labour Ministry may understand tho work of government and does it with sense of duty and of proportion.