THE COMMONWEALTH PRIME MINISTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16292, 27 January 1915, Page 6

THE COMMONWEALTH PRIME MINISTER.

RIGHT HCHL A- FISHER'S VISITS A. BUSY DAY. EXCURSIONS AND ENTERTAINMENTS. The Bight Bon. A. Fiahec, Prime Minister of the Atutadi&n Ccanmoowealtli, found himself greatly in demand yesterday on the occasion of his brief visit to Dunedin. He was eagerly sought after not only by those who desired his mature counsel and advice, but by poi4k> men who wished to pay honour to so distinguished a guest, and to enow nun the most interesting sighte about the city. At 9 o'clock Mr Fisher was waited on at the Grand Hotel by a number of representatives of the local Labour Party, who held a conference with him which lasted for an hour. Those present were introduced to Mr Fisher by the Hon. J. T. Paul and by Mr A. Walker, M.P. Punctually at 10 o'clock Mr Fisher set out for the Mosgiel Woollen Mills with Mr John Roberts, CJVLG-, chairman of directors of the Mosgiel Woollen Company. Accompanying them in two other cars were the Hon. J. A. Boyd, MJLR., Mr B. Wilson, of the New Zealand Tourist Department, Mr G. Horton, secretary to Mr Fisher, Mr P. G. Murdoch, a Melbourne pressman, Mr A. Cohe/i, and Mr J. L. Stewart Wright, secretary of the Dunedin Expansion League, and a representative of the Otago Daily .Times. The visitors were rapidly taken from room to room of tho large mills at Mosgiel, and evinced a great interest in all they saw there. The Australian visitors were greatly pleased, and even somewhat surprised, not only at the extent of the -works, but at the perfection of the materials turned out Mr Boyd was heard to remark that the rnilla in Australia were, not nearly up to the Mosgiel standard. Every now and then Mr Fiaher would give great pleasure by stopping for a few minutes' friendly chat with one or other of the employees. It had been intended to pay a brief visit to Wairongoa, but as this might possibly havo made the party late for the reception in Dunedin at noon, it was decided to omit this part of the trip and return straight to town.

CIVIC RECEPTION

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. At noon Mr Fisher and Mr Boyd were §iven a civic reception at the Town Hall, le council chamber being crowded to the doo r - _ „. ~ ~ The Mayor (Mr J. B. Shacklock) said that they were met to welcome to their city the Bight Hon. Andrew Fisher, Primo Minister of Australia, and the Hon. J. A. Boyd, a member of the Commonwealth Parliament. Although Australia and New Zealand were divided by 1200 miles of the Taeman Sea, they had always looked upon Australia as their nearest neighbour, and its people as a kindred people—brethren and fellow members of one great Empire bound together by strong bonds of union, which the present crisis was strenghtening in a variety of ways.—{Applause.) They, m New Zealand were not unconscious of the great assistance that they had received from the presence in the Pacific of the ships of the Australian Navy—(applause)—and they all heartily congratulated the commonwealth on the splendid achievement of the cruiser Sydney in terminating the destructive career of the commerce-raiding cruiser Emden.— (Applause.) When thoy visited Australia they were alwaye sure of a hearty welcome. Although their city was not so vast as any of the leading cities of Australia, still, their people were warm-hearted and ever ready to extend the hand of welcome to visitors from "the other sido."—(Applause.) They trusted that the visit of Mr Fisher and Mr Boyd would live long in their memories. and that they would return to their country benefited in every way by their holiday. They regretted that their visit was so limited, and felt sure that had they been able to spend more time here, many natural features of the dominion would have been of interest to them.—(Applause.) SPEECH BY THE HON. JAMES ALLEN. The Hon, James Allen said that he had already had the pleasure of welcoming {heir two guests to New Zealand, and it was an added pleasure to welcome Ihem to his' own city. Mr Fisher and Mr Boyd were on opposite sides of the House, and the fact that they had embarked on the present trip together was significant. He thought that their own politicians might learn some lessons from their visitors in this respect, and they might do well to make more frequent # trips to Australia. It was delightful to see' these two gentlemen in their midst, especially the Prime Minister. He hoped that his visit to the dominion would be a profitable one, and that he might learn something from them. He had told Mr Fisher that he had seen New Zealand after a bad i-eason, and his reply was, "God help New Zealand after it had had a good season !" They were all glad to see their visitors, and glad to know that their ideals and aspirations were similar to their own. He joined in the hearty congratulations to thnm on the splendid work Australia had dono during the present troublous times. He was sure that no Australian was more delighted than they were in New Zealand when the news of the destruction of the Emden was received. —(Applause.) He would not enter into any pobtical questions, but one conld eay generally that the two lands were fairly close together, and the Empire had committed to them the destinies of the dominions in the Pacific Oceon. He believed that Australia was doing, and that New Zealand was doing, and would do all in their power to carry out the glorious responsibilities that had been placed upon them. It was the business of a statesman to look into the distant future. It took long years to prepare him for the tasks that he would be called upon to perform. He was one of those who were in favour of joining hands with Australia; it was his belief that the destiny of New Zealand was similar to that of Australia, although they existed apart.—(Applause.) We should help them whenever we could, just as they had helped us with their military college, and he wanted, as Minister of Defence, to say how grateful the people of New Zealand were for the splendid opportunities given to us for the training of our officers at the military college at Ductroon. He wished to thank the Australian Minister of Defence (Senator Pearoe). and say how we appreciated the splendid work that was being done at Duntroon. In the opinion of experts there was no better military college existing anywhere in the Empire than at Duntroon. Ho hoped that the day was coming when the same facilities at Duntroon would bo given to those who wanted to train themselves for the New Zealand unit of the Imperial Navy. We wanted to send our young men to the naval college in Australia, to bo there trained in a manner similar to that given to New Zealanders at Duntroon.—(Applause.) Unfortunately so far the arrangemente had not been completed, but ho hoped that they would be completed. So far as New Zealand was concerned, she was always ready to help them in every possible way.— (" Hear, hear.") Referring to Mr Boyo", he said that he did not know whether those present realised how pleasant it was to make the acquaintance of a breezy and genial, and generally nice fellow—(laughW and' applause.) He had sat alongside Mr Boyd at dinner, and he hoped. to do so again. In conclusion he thought that the example set them by Mr Fisher should bo followed by their own Prime Ministers, whoever they might bo.—(" Hear, hear.") They extended to Mr Fisher and Mr Boyd a hearty welcome, and hoped that the remainder of their visit might be spent very pleasantly, and that they would take back to Australia pleasant recollections of the people and the country.—(Loud applause.) WHAT THE NAVY LEAGUE IS DOING. Mr J. A, Johnstone spoke on behalf of the Navy League. He said the privilege and duty of welcoming the visitors to Dunedin in the name of the Otago branch of the Navy League should, under ordinary circumstances, have fallen to their distinguished president, the Hon. James Allen. As ho was, however, with them in another capacity, ho (the speaker) had been asked, as a vice-president, to take Mr Allen's place. It gave him much pleasure, on " behalf of the league, to say that they were delighted to see their visitors. They welcomed Mr Fisher not only because he was the Primo Minister of the creat Australian commonwealth, but also because they were aware that one of tho objects of his visit was that his country and their own should be drawn closer together m the bonds of Imperial citizenship. Their feelings and ambitions in that regard were thoroughly reciprocated by tho league. They had some natural and pardonablo pride in being members of the Navy League because of the magnificent work it had done Binco its formation in London in 1895. It came into being at that time because a few of Britain's ablest and most thoughtful men realised

even then -what the German menace meant, and saw that the present war was inevitable. The league bad neon _ kopt informed by talented correspondents in the leading capitals of Europe of everything that had been taking place on the Continent in the way of naval preparations, and the men who formed tho first executive, and their successors in office, had, without fee or reward, met almost weekly in London to consider the problem of Britain's naval defence. It w&a one of the league's cardinal doctrines not to identify itself •with any political party, and the Headquarters Executive had devoted itself, irrespective of whether Liberals or Conservatives occupied the Treasury Benches, to bringing tho facts of the case before the Government, and pressing in season and out of season, for such measures of preparation as were required to meet the situation. —(" Hear, hear.") When that evil genius, the German Emperor, and those in authority under him, had forced upon civilisation the present unparalleled conflict, the British navy had been found efficient enough to hold in cheek the naval power of their enemies. It was, however, a matter of almost universal recognition in England to-day that Britain would not have been in anything approaching this state of preparation had it not been for the disinterested and practical patriotism of the Navy League at Home. Here in New Zealand they had not attained to the possession of a navy of their own, and consequently no necessity had arisen for work of exactly the same kind. They humbly claimed, however, that -by means of press propaganda, public lectures, and otherwise, they had fostered the naval spirit among the people, and had in some degree influenced the governments of the dominion in respect to its contributions and relationship to the Imperial navy. Their work was, of course, mainly educational, and they claimed that in this district of Otago, at all events, they had done more than any other patriotic body to bring about public appreciation of the responsibilities that should rest on every son and daughter of tho British Empire.— ("Hear, hear.") This claim was supported by the fact that throughout both the primary and the secondary schools of Otago, whether public or private, the history and geography oi their Empire was better taught end understood than ever it had been before. — (Applause.) Indeed, the inspectors of the Education Department had testified more than onoe to the splendid work that had been done in the community since their branch was established in 1904. It might be of interest to those present, continued the speaker, to know that their branch of the league was recognised by headquarters in London as unequalled by any other throughout the dominion, their membership being the greatest of any outside the Home Office. There were two things that - he though mainly contributed to their success, the firet that their honorary secretary was firmly imbued with the conviction that if the British Empire was to continue in existence, it must be, under the good providence of God, by the maintenance of her sea supremacy. Then, they had been fortunate enough to secure as members of their executive citizens who shared the secretary's views with his enthusiasm, and who have been willing by speech and otherwise to serve the interests of the league in every possible way. The speaker said he had dwelt perhaps at undue length upon the work of the Navy League, and he had presumed to do so because he understood that no branch of the oreanisation existed in Australia. Some years ago, the head office had suggested that they should send delegates to the commonwealth with the aim of getting branches formed there. That had been impracticable, but he did not see ■why their great country should not join in this movement. Whether or not the dominions would hereafter have _ a greater voice in the councils of the Empire, it was certain that public opinion in the dominion would be a powerful factor in determining Imperial policy, and it was important, therefore, that public opinion should be educated upon right lines. He ventured to think that if Mr Fisher and his friends were aware how much had been accomplished here in this direction they would interest themselves, for the sake of the future of Australia and of the Empire, in the formation of branches in every important centre and school in the commonwealth. — (Applause.) VALUE OF TRADES UNIONISM. The Hon. J. T. Paul said he did not need to emphasise the fact that Mr Fisher and Mr Boyd wore welcome to this city; in fact, the only trouble was that these visits were so few. It was a distressing fact, ho thought, that the opportunities for discussing many matters which we in New Zealand and Mr Fisher and his colleagues in Australia should have, were exceedingly few. It would tax the memory of anyone present to recall even three of commonwealth parliamentarians who had visited our shores in the last five years, and yet we were next door neighbours. It was tho duty of our public men to visit Australia, just as it was the duty of Australian politicians to visit our country, so that such visits must be profitable visits indeed. He welcomed Mr Fisher especially as a type of the newer politician, j and one of the most trusted politicians in all Australia- He was a product of trade unionism, and had it not been for trades unionism Mr Fisher and others could not have reached the higher positions that they had. It was to the eternal credit of trades unionism that it had enabled men of the mental calibre of Mr Fisher to rise to 'important positions. It seemed to him that there was a great need to emphasise the necessity for closer intercommunication between Australia and New Zealand Years ago the speaker had declared that as regards the naval question our future and Australia's future were linked together in naval defence. He was 6trongly of opinion that it was the same to-day. They did not know what new problems of naval defence might arise as the result of the present war, but he wished to repeat that Australia's future and our future were linked together in the matter of closer narval defence. Whatever happened to Australia must happen to us. If a foreign Power succeeded in gaining Auctralia no empire in the world could save New Zealand. They must work together, live together, fight together—the two pearls of tho Pacific. It was to the credit of Mr Fisher and his colleagues that they took sufficient and great measures to protect their pearl in the Pacific, and it was our duty to take equal care of our pearl in the Pacific. —("Hear, hear.") We were of one stock, and had a great duty to perform in tho Pacific, and an interchange of visits by politicians could be made most profitable to both countries. It would then be seen how best to preserve friendships and ascertain how best to govern the two great countries. On behalf cf the -wage-earning portion of the community he wished Mr Fisher long life and prosperity.—(Applause.) MR FISHER AND NAYAL DEFENCE. Mr Fisher prefaced his remarks by thanking the citizens of Dunedin for their cordial welcome, and then broke into the subject of naval defence in the Pacific. He said that our distinguished Minister of Defence (the Hon. Mr Allen) had on his way to the Mother Country consulted. tho Australian Government regarding the matter. Perhaps he might be pardoned for mentioning that Mr Allen had then a very unsettled opinion, but when he came back to New Zealand his opinions were very settled indeed. But whatever might be said of those missions and intercommunications in regard to tho defence of the islands of New Zealand and the great continent of Australia, nothing but good could come from such intercommunications directly between the parties concerned. They had all been good enough to refer to the little service his Majesty's Australian fleet had been able to rend?: m these waters. Australians wero just as proud and as glad to congratulate New Zealanders on the work done by New Zealand's gift battleship in the North Sea.—(Applause.) As regards the reference to tho work of the Navy League, Mr Fisher pointed out that the common-wealth had developed the question in a different way. And what they had in the form of equipment and personnel for the purposes of defence would be given to tito Mother Country at any time. He would not enter into any local policy for New Zealand, which was entirely a question for decision by the dominion's representatives, but it did strike him that the island continent here must ultimately be a naval country. New Zealand's interests were even in some respects greater than Australia's, and New Zealanders' public duty would be as great as theirs. But that would be determined later on. There was no hostility in the Old Country regarding the status of the Australian Navy. There was no doubt in the minds of tho King's advisers as to placing, without equivocation or objection at all, absolute confidence in his Majesty's citizens in Australia, represented by Parliament for the time being, and relying upon them to do the right thing at the right time, in eo-operation with tnem, or acting individually, as Australia thought best.— (Applause.) As a result of that complete confidence Australia was stronger to-day and more closely united to the Mother Country than ever. They in Australia had been handed over the great resources of that, great continent, and we in New Zealand had obtained possession of these beautiful islands. Were we. ns manly men and womanly women, to ask the Mother Country to provide for her own defence and also to help provide for our defence ? — (Loud applause.) Surely we belonged to a race and land capable of doing for ourselves what our forefathers had done ; n the Mother Country. It was for us to say what wo should do.—(Loud applause.) It had been said that politicians should agree to

differ without straining personal friendship at the present time and crisis. When the position of these islands and the. position of the Empire, and, indited, when rivilisalioii was being put to tho lest, there vv.ie no room for difference of opinion on the broad qiKvtion of vital policy. '1 he geogninliieal position of Australia <unl New Zealand was ouch us to call for reciprocal relationship, apart altogether from the quebtion whether tn«y should join in defence of the I'.iciiie or not. Thoy should havo chwer association than thoy had at the present time, and he could assure them Australia desired it, wilhout infringing upon New Zealand's autonomy as a self-governing dominion .Jufstiuus as to reciprocity, intercommunication. u'id so on should bo examined properly when the time came for conferences. Speaking of tho pleasure* of his trip, and tho lessons ho and his friends had gained, Mr lusher considered that it was an absolute marvel - almost a miracle- that a great uar like this had not stag.'i red the Mother (xmiim'.v. and had left practically untouched her overseas dominions.--(Applause.) That was a state of affairs unknown in the h'story of the wor,ld, and if they saw their opportunities at the present time, and had the knowledge available, public men and business; men should do their utmost to help the Mother Country.—(Applause.) The Mother Country opened her shores to every subject of the world, while we here had opened our doors reallv to those who were now our enemies. "And vet, and yet, and yet." declared Mr Fisher,' "it. has neon stated that the Mother Country has been tyrannising over the world and practising injustice. They lie: they know they lie." —(Loud applause.) If there came out of this great war, concluded Mr Fisher, a great council, greater than the Hague' Convention, with powers to adjust international disputes without the destruction of war, the tremendous cost of the war would have been worth it.—(Loud applause) He expressed the hope that representative New Zcfllanders would be able to visit Australia, where ho could assure them a cordial welcome.—(Applause.) VINDICATION OF AN AUSTRALIAN NAVY. Mr Boyd expressed pleasure at the opportunity of thanking the people of Dunedin for the hearty welcome they had extended t-i.Mr Fisher'diid himself. They had been in Now Zealand for a month, and had been treated with the utmost kindness from the extreme north to the extreme .south. They had not only enjoyed their hospitality, but had learned much by being brought into closer touch with their public men, private citizens, and the country itself. As Mr Fisher said, he had only formed tho same idea as nearly all Australians formed—that little sympathy could be offered them in regard to the drought they complained so much about. They had that morning had t'.ie pleasure of driving through some magnificent country covered with line grasses and clover that they would be very proud of in Australia. They wore making the trip for the benefit of their health, and as evidence of success they had only to look at Mr Fisher.—(Laughter.) They got on well together, and ho believed that all public men ought to be able to differ in opinion and yet be good friends. They would go back with their minds broadened and filled

vith information about Now Zealand. Its loyalty had always filled him with a thrill of pride; it had been the first of the Empire's dominions to come to the assistance of the Mother Country.—(Applause.) Ho had desired for many years to become more closely acquainted with New Zealand, and he felt, that his visit had brought him "losely in touch with men who were shaping the destiny of the country. Mr Fisher and himself regarded all the public men of New Zealand as men whom the people of the country had placed in power to do their work. Referring to naval matters, ho said he knew that there were differences of opinion as to the desirability of the establishment of a local navy. A largo section of the people of Australia had been opposed to the idea at one time, but they had now fallen below 10 per cent. The local navy was now in existence, and it had convinced the people that it was a good thing. Tt had required a war to bring about the change of opinion If a dreadnought had been in these waters when the war broke out, the Australian battleship which had to be used to convoy the troops to Samoa would have accounted for the German warships in the Pacific, and Britain would have been bettor off. in that she would not have lost the cruisers which were sunk in the fight off the South American coast. They believed they had adopted the right policy, and he wished that people would banish from their minds the idea that the establishment of a local navy meant their separation from the Brtiish Navy.— (Applause.) The Australians were proud to belong to the Mother Country Whenever the call of the Mother Country oamo it would always find the Australians ready to advance her interests. In conclusion, he trusted that New Zealand's public men would visit Australia more frequently, and thus obviate that narrowness of vision which was the peculiar danger of those living in an island community.

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

LUNCHEON AT Y.M.C.A. ROOMS. Mr Fisher, and Mr Boyd afterwards proceeded to the Y.M.C.A. rooms, where they were entertained at luncheon by the Otago Expansion League. Mr A. Batagate (president of the league) occupied the chair, and there was a very large attendance of Dunedin representative citizens. At the conclusion of the luncheon four speeches were delivered.

Mr Bathgate said that the league was honoured in having as its guests the Right Hon. Mr Fisher and the Hon. A. Boyd. They had, he had been authoritatively informed, come to the dominion for the benefit of their health, though to look at them, one would not think so.—(Laughter.) Proceeding, the speaker eaid that at tne risk of striking a slightly d:scordant note he could not help referring to the fact that the dominion had a preferential tariff with other portions of the British Empire, but in Australia their tariff applied only to the Mother Country, so they in New Zealand were m the same position as the Germans.— (Laughter.) COMMERCIAL QUESTIONS.

Mr G. W. Gibson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that it was his privilege to speak that day ior the business portion of the community, and on their behalf to welcome Mr Fisher on what, ho believed, was his first visit to Dunedin. Ho understood that Mr Fisher was making his visit mainly one of pleasure, but with the true instincts of a Scotsman he was endeavouring to combine a little business with his pleasure, his business being the promotion of closer trade relationship between their respective countries. In endeavouring to do this Mr Fisher had, he was certain, the support of every business man in the, community. Of course, in saying this he was aware that they did not know the details of . his proposals, and that did they know of them they might not approve of them in toto, but as regards tho general principle that there should be freer trading facilities between their countries, he did not think there was any room for doubt. That being so, the present was surely a most opportune time for the discussion of such a question—(Applause.) If the war had done nothing elso it had enabled them in many ways to see more clearly than before, to see things in a truer perspective. They were beginning to understand that thoy would have been wiser had they made a greater distinction between their own nation and foreign nations. In common with the rest of the Empire, they had allowed all nations free access to their markets. They had allowed them to compete with them; they had let them capture much of their trade; they had allowed whole brandies of trade to pass into their hands almost entirely. To-day they were beginning to see that they had not been altogether wise in this. They now found that their nation was suffering from this generosity on their part. They had received a rude awakening, and thoy knew now that much that had been done in the past would have to be altered in the future. He was very hopeful that if the war did nothing else it would at least create an imperial sentiment deeper than any they had known before. At present, in sending troops to the assistance of the Mother Country, they were acting imperially. He hoped that by the time the war was over they would be thinking imperially —(Applause.) By this he did not mean an easy imperialism .which applauded a British victory, but something deeper, something which would enable them to look beneath the surface and to view many of the great questions, not as thoy affected them personally, not oven as thoy affected their own country, but to consider them also as they might affect the Empire as a whole. If thoy could go further and instil some of that higher patriotism into their politics they would .surely sec that it was not wise to erect groat tariff walls between the different parts of the Empire. Now, if that wore so, and thoy wote to make a start in removing present restrictions, it was surely lifting that thoy should begin with their nearest neighbour —Mr Fisher's great land, Australia. Their two countries lay very near each other, but they were in many respect-; wholly dissimilar. Both seemed able to provide that which the other lacked, and in time of scarcity they leant mutually the one on tho other, in illustration of which ho would remind them of the groat quantities of wheat and flour which had been. or would be, shipped from Australia to New Zealand this year. And if their countries

lay close toother, 10-driy their two peoples were lioiiihl li.v closer ties than i'Vei before. Thv had eacli sent, of the flower of Lhoir manhood lo light, for their King. Cnder (lie Imperial military direction they had been sent, out; together; they were now encamped near one another in Egypt, and they anticipated that, they would fight shoulder to shoulder. Before sitting down the speaker said he wished to say that, had Mr Fisher canto to thorn at any time they would have welcomed him iti his e.upaeuy an Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, but that welcome would have born ono of courtesy only. To-day they joined to thai courtesy a deep sense of gratitude for the great services rendered to their country >by the Australian Navy. —(Applause.) Mr Fisher had doubtless heard this feeling expressed so often since he came to the dominion Unit, ho (the speaker) did not wish to stress it, but, lie asked thuin, was it not a somewhat remarkable thing that their Kmpire being engaged in such a stupendous life-or-dcath struggle, they were yet, able to meet there and discuss matters such as reciprocity in trade between their respective countries? 'Jhat they could do so, that, they had any overseas trade left, to them .it, all was due almost entirely to the magnilicent work of the ships of the Australian Navy.—(Applause.) Had it not been for them their coasts might have been harried, war toll might have been levied on their towns, instead of which they lived in safety, business went on much as before, and h. was hard at times to realise at all that they were participators in a great war. Coming therefore, as he had at such a time, the wonder would be if they did not accord Mr Fisher a most enthusiastic welcome to their town. In conclusion, Mr Gibson expressed the hope that when Mr Fisher returned to his own country ho would not fail to tell his people there of the warm feelings which they entertained towards them.—(Loud applause.) POINTS ON RECIPROCITY.

Mr Fisiier, who was received with loud applause, said he must thank them for the maimer in which they had received the reference made to the service rendered to this part of his Majesty's dominions by their navy. When they set out to build their navy they did not think that it would be brought into requisition so early, but it would be admitted that it was a heaven born gift. The principle underlying their whole navy question was the inspiration it gave to the people who owned it, manned :t, and controlled it. It inspired them; they saw it was theirs; they controlled it, and were determined to do everything to make it as good as the best. As to reciprocal relations, he did not quite agree that it was necessary for dominions to grant preference to each other. reciprocity was a matter to be decided on a basis of arrangement, and if they had it without such a basis it would probably not bring them closer together. What he wanted them to realise was that there was no desire in Australia to embarrass New Zealand. There was an open door and a welcome to negotiation, and if the two countries could come to an agreement that would benefit both, let them set about making it. In a few years the time of communication between New Zealand and Australia would be reduced by a third with the development of aviation, and it was the business of the young men to look into and prepare for fh'S closer communication. But there was a link now of another kind between all progressive peoples, a moral code that developed yearly, and he believed that peace would come not through the operations of Vie Hague Conference, or through the operations of peace advocates of the world, but that it would come through a system more like to the Imperial Conference system. He had never seen why a conference of that kind should not meet with delegates from every civilised nation of the world. Mischief was done in the world uy living apart—by being ostracised. He thanked them again from the bottom of his heart for this further evidence of their kindness, and he wished the Otago Expansion League every success. He hoped I'iat it would extend beyond Otago and New Zealand, and would take in Australia in the way. They over there would join with them and co-operate with them, both politically and otherwise.—(Loud applause.) NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.

The Hon. J. A. Boyd said ho had pleasure in responding to the kindly and cordial welcome they had given to the Prime Minister and himself. The first evidence, of tho league came under his notice at Queenstown, where he saw a booklet extolling the beauties of Dunedin. Being a Scotsman and coming from Edinburgh he read it from end to end, and thought that It must have been written by someone of experience and fair imagination.—(Laughter.) It had not, been overdone, however; ho was delighted with Dunedin.—(Applause.) When they in Australia founded their Federation they were prepared for New Zeaalnd to join them as part of the great commonwealth, and so participate in Freetrade throughout Australia. The facilities that could be given to one another could be given as equally as they could be to the Mother Country. If anything now could make them grow closer together surely this war was the thing to do it. It had been most gratifying to Mr Fisher and himself to realise the appreciation that had been shown to them on every occasion, and they appreciated the feelings of the people of New Zealand towards the assistance given them tv the Australian navy.—(Applause.)

DOWN THE HARBOUR

FURTHER ENTERTAINMENT AND SPEECHES. At 2.30 p.m. n.e. Dunedin left the wharf, carrying as the eruests of the Otago Harbour Board Mr Fisher, Mr Boyd, tho Hons. J. Allen, T. Mac Gibbon, M.L.C., and J. T. Paul, M.L.C.."Messrs J. Craigie, M.P., A. Walker. M.P.. and T. K. Sidey, M.P., the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. B. Shacklock), the town clerk (Mr Lewin), and others. The chairman (Mr H. E. Moller) and members of the Harbour Board were present, ae well as a number of lady friends of the visitors and the members of tho board. The vessel followed the course of the channel for some distance past Port Chalmers, and the visitors, of whom there were, altogether, about 50 present, had the various spots of interest pointed out to them from the bridge. During the course of the trip an adjournment below was made, and refreshments were partaken oT. and the toast of " The King," followed by that of " The Visitors," was honoured.

In proposing the last-named toast Mr Moller said that Mr Fisher had stated that hie desire had been for 25 years to visit New Zealand, and thev were glad to learn that he had had happy experiences so far in Maoriland. In younger life Mr Fisher had taken interest in the amelioration of f.io condition of the pitmen in Scotland Tin's experience created the germs of a -.octal policy which he h'd already don? something to realise in Australia. lie came to New Zealand in advocacy of the creation of commercial ItoiuU that would unite the continent and the dominion more firmly. Them was a tentative agreement respecting hi iff reciprocity between the commonwealth and the dominion, arrived at in 1912. when th<» Minister of Customs in New Zealand visited Australia and conferred with the "Fusion" Government Then the hopo was expressed that the commercial relations of Australia and New Zealand would bo placed on a footing of greater intimacy than at present existed. It had been eaid that the main object of Mr Fisher's visit was to urge an Australian policy in respect of naval defence, assuming that there was a growing feeling in New Zealand in favour of inclusion in the commonwealth: but it might be that the dominion had determined to work out her own political destiny. Mr Fisher was a strong believer in 10--al naval i.-ontrol, .'-nd advocated the holding of an Imperial Conference this year, and after that one every two years. Mr Fisher believed that n.any of the colonial difficulties had arisen from the want of opportunities for the meeting of representatives of the dominions and the Mother Country, and that" Canada stood in a. different position from most of *] e of.i.er dominions, being in closo proximity to the Motherland, and easilv able to commun cate with the Government there at any time, on any matter in which difficultv arose. That, was not so easily possible in this p:irt of the world, and the gravest issues could bo dealt with only by cable or by despatch. Mr Fisher believed that such a conference would illustrate to the world evidence of tie t.ift — perhaps too little known—that all parte of the British Empire, even whilst at war, could meet together and discuss a critical situation in as calm and deliberate a manner as if the Empire were not engagpd in any great war at all. Mr Fisher had said that if a conference were not jxissiblo, then it was advisable that one or more of his Majesty's Ministers in Great Britain should pay an official visit to his most distant possessions. The great strength of the colonies would exist by getting into the closest possible touch with each other- -in personal consultation and deliberations. thus strengthening the ties of unity to a great extent. Mr Fisher had stated that it wa.s not the desire of the Australian to force his views on the New Zealander. Matters relating to commercial reciprocity must, of course, be arranged with representatives of the Government, but if they failed to come to an agreement the people of Now Zealand could rest assured that not a trace of feeling would be left behind in Australia. Mr

Moller concluded by heartily welcoming Mr lusher and Mr lioni on behalf of the board. Mr h'isher thanked the board lor it, hospii.ahty. and, in the course of a few brief remarks, said that. New Zealand had been more than geromus in its praise of Australia for the help she hail given in the dolence of 1 lie Pm-ilie. Four year ago, had the sani" trouble arisen, it would have been a sad matter for New Zealand and Austnil'.a. lor at that lime the enemy with whom we were now engaged wao far better equipped in the Pacific than wo were. The tact that thi.s wa.s known to the public men in Australia compelled them to take up the attitude they did in desiring to have their own navy finished and up-to-date as a »;;,!.ling machine. In these days it was useless to throw away money on obsolete nhips. Speed, modern guiib, efficiency ail these things were required. It had been said that tile chief engineer of the Sydney had got. top speed out of the ship in its tight with Uie Kmden. But. as a matter of fact, lie got two knots better than the maximum speed at that critical time, and the manner in which the officers and crew of die ship carried out their duties was a compliment to them. The same fighting spirit and qualities of seamanship would be fouiiu among the people of the dominions as among those of the Old Country. That was an asset that they possessed, and it. should be brought home to the mothers and fathers that they should make a sacrifice and train their sons. Mr Allen had spoken earlier in the day about the giving of the same facilities in the Australian naval as in the Military College to New Zealanders. It was the ambition of the Government to do so, but trouble had arisen through the limitation of space. However, the naval cadets were being transferred from Geelong to Jervois Bay, and he was sure that, in all probability, it would be possible to give New Zealand the proportion she wished at the college. It was necessary that the New Zealand youths should be trained with the Australians, and the Australians with the New Zealanders. This intermingling would bring about a spirit of camaraderie, and would cause the people of the two countries to be nearer and dearer to each other. As to relationship in trade and commerce, they were at one in many things, lie appealed to them all, to every public man, and especially to fhe editors of newspapers, to make it known in New Zealand that Australia desired to meet the dominion, and he hoped that representative public men would be sent as a delegation to Australia. Australia would send a similar delegation to New Zealand, and if, after a few intercommunications, nothing could be done, the matter would have to rest. Mr Fisher concluded by again expressing his thanks for the hospitality accorded him.—(Applause.) Mr Boyd also expressed his thanks for the hospitality shown him on his visit. He would, he sa:d, go back determined to renew his acquaintance with New Zealand. Mr Allen, in the course of a brief address, said that he did not know where H.M.A.N. Sydney had obtained the coal used at the time when she was pursuing the Emdcn, but ho would not be surprised if it had come from New Zealand. Mr Fisher: 1 am sure that if we could get Westport coal it would be there. Continuing, Mr Allen said that he was in earnest with regard to the naval training scheme, and he knew that Australia would readily open her doors when she had the opportunity. The military college at IJuntroon was as fine an institution as there was anywhere in the world, and he believed that the naval college would be as good. New Zealand would be thankful to Australia if she would allow the dominion to train her men there. New Zealand could not afford a naval college of her own. and unless such a thing were well done it wa.s better to leave it alone. It was New Zealand's duty to accept the offer, if Australia made it, to train New Zealanders at the college. Such a thing would tend to draw the two countries together, and would help towards a realisation that the ideals of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific were Imperial ideals, and were held in common. There could be no two idea.s as to the necessity of protecting our own homes, our land, and the trade routes of the Pacific--(Applause.) Messrs Paul, Mac Gibbon, Sidey, Craigie, and Shaddock also spoke briefly in response to the toast. AT PORT CHALMERS. Shortly after 4 p.m. the party landed at Port Chalmers, and was conducted around the wharves by Mr T. iScolky (Mayor) and members of the Borough Council. An adjournment was then made to the Town Hail, where a number of toasts wore hon-' oured. Mr Scollay presided, and many prominent townspeople were present. In proposing the toast of "The Visitors'' Mr Scollay said that Port Chalmers highly appreciated the honour of a visit from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, and it afforded him great pleasure to extend to him a warm welcome to the pioneer seaport of the dominion. Port Chalmers was the doorway of Otago. It was there fhat the pioneer colonists landed to make homes for themselves and their descendants, and to make the young Britain of the Southern Seas. Mr Fisher had just returned from an inland trip which had served to show him how the pioneers penetrated even to the most inaccessible portions of the province, and to-day they and their descendants were exporting the product of their industry to all parts of the world, through the doorway through which they themselves first entered their beloved Otago. The duty of Port Chalmers, in the course of colonisation, had been to keep the doorway open and the shipping facilities of the port right up to date. In,, his brief tour round the docking, ship-repairing, and other shipping facilities Mr Fisher would have noticed—would, perhaps, have had it emphasised by the presence of n 10,000-ton liner in ono of the docks—that Port Chalmers was doing its duty ns one of the leading seaports of the dominion, and the people of Port. Chalmers had a very warm regard for the people of Austral : a, with whom they had traded from the earliest days of colonisation. New Zealand's distinguished visitor. Mr Fisher, had the uninue distinction of having had the destiny of a continent and the welfare of its people unhesitatingly entrusted to his keeping during what might be termed a "war crisis." Ho had nrovod himself worthy of that confidence. He was the great Australian Labour leader a"d nation-builder. When the White Australia policy was proclaimed it meant the avoidance of the extremes of wealth and of poverty which weakened Old World communities. So it merely followed as a natural result that the most numerous section of the community —the workers—should have a controlling voice in the Government of the Country. Thence arose the ascendancy of the Labour Party, both in the States' "Parliament and in the Federal Parliament itself. Under Labour administration the country had prospered alike in peace and in war.—-(Applause.) In responding Mr Fisher said fhat he was glad to hear that Port Chalmers had a warm corner in its heart for Australia, and was pleased to not" that the port could accommodate some of the largest ships in the world. Port Chalmers was one of the New Zealand ports from which the young ni"n had none to fight for the Empire. He desired to express the gratitude of himself arid Mr Boyd for the kindness with which they had been treated here and everywhere in New Zealand. His own desire was soon to see a closer reciprocal relationship between New Zraland and Australia, both in trade and industry, and in the mutter of defence. He thought that they should join hand*, particularly in the defence of the South Pacific, in the hope that sooner or later Canada, and. ultimately. South Africa, would join in a common navy for their own individual defence, in co-operation with each other, and in irrevocable association with the Mother Country. He believed that these distant places could best be defended in that way. 'The only way to inspire a free people was for the parents of the children born here and in Australia to realise that, they would have ultimately to defend their shores. He did not want to impose his own policy on the people of New Zealand, but he knew that, as a broad-minded people, the citizens of New Zealand were able to listen to the views of others, even if they disagreed with them. In good report and evil. New Zealand and Australia had to stand together. In fair weather tlvy had got through well, and in the foul weather they had recently come through they had been fortunate. It might have been far otherwise with them. Some proplo thought that the close of the war would mean a long peace; hut history gave no guarantee that it would be so. It, often happened that when the principals in a quarr"l had settled their difficulties the second* came in ;in«i disturbed the peace more than the original combatants had done. Therefore it wis necessary to moke the sacrifice now. before it wa.s ton Nt". There was no desire in Australia to indu-e New Zealand to dcjiart from her sovereign rights as a dominion, but there was p drs-'re for full co-operation and united action between Australia and New Zealand, these two most, distant dominions of the King, at the same lime leaving intact the tics between them and the Mother Country.—(Applause. ) Mr Bny<l said that in X <«• Zealand Mr Fisher and he had on-ached the doctrine of the individual r.-li;:;i:-e of the independent doni'iiions on their own resources. ft could not, be said too often that we wrro heirs to a great heritage. These lands had been given to us without the obligation of contributing one penny to the

British Government. We should be able to pay and provide for our own defence ourselves, and should not expect the British people, who did not earn the money, on the average, that the men and women in these lands did, to pay for the defence in the North Sea and for that of these countries as well. It should be a point of honour with Australia and New Zealand to pay for their own defence. There was hardly to be heard in Australia a dissentient voice with regard to the Government's naval policy. In New Zealand there was division, arid neither Mr Fisher nor the speaker was going to try and influence New Zealanders in one way or another. But since the people of New Zealand were asunder on the matter, they would speak to them of the result of the scheme in Australia. The fact that Australia had established her navy had won the confidence of the people, although there had been dissention before on the question, and had also gained the confidence of the Ministers at Home. That proved that, Australia was on the right lines. It was said that New Zealand could not afford it. But New Zealanders had one of the most magnificent countries the speaker had ever seen. He had not seen a person who looked poor in New Zealand. It was up to New Zealand, then, to stand to her guns as one of the most loyal dominions—as ho was sure she was—to stand shoulder to shoulder with Australia, Canada, and South Africa, and to bear her part in the struggle.—(Applause.) Mr Shacklock proposed the toast of " The Parliament of New Zealand." In a brief address he expressed the opinion that too much was expected from members of Parliament, and "that they did not, often, get the confidence that they deserved. In responding to the toast Mr Allen said that he would liko to refer to what Mr Boyd had said regarding the people of New Zealand being rent asunder over the naval policy. It was true that there were differences of opinion, but ho did not think that they were rent asunder over it. There was a difference of opinion, but the breach was gradually being healed, in the light of knowledge obtained from actual experience of what those on the other side of the Tasman Sea had been doing, and of what New Zealand herself should be doing. He did not think that we had done what we ought to have done in the direction of naval policy. There had been only one difference of opinion between himself and Mr Fisher, and that had been removed by what the latter had said that afternoon regarding an irrevocable connection with the Motherland. If the policy meant that, then he was entirely at one with it. New Zealanders could learn imlK>rtant lessons from the visit of Messrs Fisher and Boyd. Parliament was in a curious position in New Zealand at present, and he thought that steps should be taken to see if some scheme could bo devised by which, during the war, party difference "might be abolished and they might unite as one countrv to see New Zealand and the Empire through the troublous times that were ahead.—(Applause.) Messrs Paul and Craigie also responded to the toast.

Mr W. Belcher proposed the toast of ■' Port Chalmers," and Mr Scollay responded. The party then returned to the boat, which arrived back at the Dunedin wharf shortly after 6 p.m. Three hearty cheers were'given for the visitors, with an extra one for Mr Allen, before the gathering dispersed.