MR. STEAD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143594, 7 September 1911, Page 3

MR. STEAD.

APOLOGISES TO MR. FISHER. BUT DEFENDS HIS POSITION. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Received Sept. 7, 9.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 7. Mr. Stead has written to Mr. Fisher expressing sorrow at the annoyance caused through the publication of the interview, a proof of which was sent to Mr. Fisher’s address three days before the paper went to press. Ho was surprised at anyone saying it was misleading, after reading the whole interview. There was nothing original in the sentiments expressed. Everyone knew not only that the question would arise, but no one in the .Mother Country would deny the right of the selfgoverning dominions to haul down the tlag rattier than be involved in what they regarded as an just war. The right of seccession was the foundation stone upon which the British Empire was reared. THE STEAD INTERVIEW. The following are extracts from the conversation between Mr. Stead and Mr. Fisher as reported in the July number of the Review of Reviews: Mr. Fisher.—Don’t talk to mo of Empire, we are not an Empire. No end of mischief has come from the use of that word. We are a very loose association of five nations, each independent, each for the time being willing to remain in fraternal co-operative union with Great Britain and with each other, but only on condition that if at any time for any cause we decide to terminate that connection no one can say us nay. Mr. Stead.—No less an authority on the other side than Mr. Joseph Chamberlain had said the same thing. But he was always trying to convert you into an Empire, whereas your trend is in the opposite direction. I Mr. Fisher.—Certainly it is. We are independent, self-governing communities who are absolutely untrammelled by any laws, treaties, or constitutions. 'We are free to take our own course, according to what we believe to bo our interests, without any any one being able to prevent us. In an interview at Melbourne, after his return, Mr. Fisher, referring to tiTo Stead interview, said he tec exception to the phrase “loose association of dependencies.’’ What he did say was “’close association of dependencies,” Whether Mr. Stead mistook the word, or used it for his own purpose, ho did not know, but he regarded Mr. Stead as a dangerous man. The second clause w-hich.pe took exception to was that in relation to hauling down the flag. That was entirely an emanation from Mr. Stead’s brain. He admitted having received a proof of the interview from Mr. Stead, .but owing to pressure of business, had to leave,,the’woxk_ of_..attending.,to, .such, things to his secretaries.