In an interview reported in the Sydney Daag Telegraph, and
summarised in the Times of last Saturday, Mr. Fisher declared that his intention was to "improve social conditions " as far as possible while preserving the existing relation of the Commonwealth to the Empire. He desires a fair field for all white labour—we trust that this means an end to the suicidal policy of checking immigration—and an adequate system of defence. We may remind our readers that Australian Labour is far in advance of British Labour in its recognition that the duties of defence in a democratic country should fall on all, and not be shuffled off by those who are able in effect to buy the services of others and maintain themselves in a highly privileged position of irresponsibility. Mr. Fisher further considers borrowing justifiable for the proposed two trans- continental railways and for irrigation schenies, but he does not consider it justifiable for defence, " which is a function, not an enterprise." The Labour success further means a progressive Federal Land-tax. The papers of Thursday made known the result of the two questions put to the people by Referendum. Mr. Deakin's proposal to embody the financial agreement in the Constitution without a time- limit was rejected. In other words, the people believe in the assertion of Federal authority as against what Americans would call " States Rights." In this we are sure they are right. As to the other question, the people affirmed the proposal that the States' Debts should be taken over by the Commonwealth. Mr. Fisher is not an extremist, and we look to his period of power with almost as much optimism as curiosity.
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