MR FISHER SPEAKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7866, 31 July 1911, Page 5

MR FISHER SPEAKS

REPUDIATES INTERVIEW

GROTESQUE MISREPRESENTATION. WISHES TO KEEP UNION JACK FLYING. By Telegraph—P:ca-ss A=-socia.tion— Copyxigirt. (Received Jidv JO, 5.5 p.m.) COLOMBO, July 29. Air H. Fish-icsr, Australian Commonwealth Premie. 1 ':, arrired this morning. Ho was considfri*ably agitated on learning of the sensation caused by tho report of his inter view in tho “Review of Reviews,” which ho described as a grotesque mestopresentation. Ho cabled to Air W. T. Stead that tho report is gjiossly misleading. Ho says that what ho stated to Air Stead in a biief, hurried interview, was what ho liad stated hundreds of times in public speeches, namely, that liis object was peace among the nations, liis world policy ono of effective defence, and liis. aim, ipxity among British nations. “This,” lie said, “can best bo attained and! maintained by trusting his Majesty hi Governments in tho Idngdora and Iffcio dominions as responsible Ministers of a family of nations.”

Referring to tho expression <f lf wo thought tho war unjust wo should haul down tho Union. Jack and hoist our own flag,” appearing in the interview, Mr Fisher said: * ‘Tills lias never entered my mind. To keep it flying is my ambition, with all its best traditions, nor havo I hariboured any idea that Australia should break away from the Empire, nor do I wish to escape tho duty of defending its honour. Such expressions would noti be disloyalty, but insanity. They “would bo brutal and monstrous.” /