THE FISHER INCIDENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 136, 1 August 1911, Page 5

THE FISHER INCIDENT.

MR STEAD RIDICULED. (Received 1, 9.20 a.m.) Melbourne, August 1. Mr Hughes has received the following cable from Mr Fisher: — “Stead’s report of his interview with myself, as cabled to you, is grotesque. I saw him for a few minutes hurriedly, and said what I have stated hundreds of times in public speeches in Australia and the United Kingdom—that our objective was the world’s peace; our policy effective defence; our aim unity of the Empire. All these would be best attained by trusting His Majesty’s Governments in the United Kingdom and the dominions to give him their best advice as responsible Ministers of a family of nations.’’ Mr Hughes, commenting on the message, said:—“When Mr Fisher calls Stead’s reported interview ‘grotesque,’ ho cramps into one word every epithet of ridicule, denunciation and contempt that every fair-minded man must fool towards one who vilified him. The attack has but served to heighten Mr Fisher’s reputation, and amply warranted our expressed belief in the absurdity of attributing such statements to him.”