A compilation of two audio cuts.
1. F. M. B. Fisher, a former cabinet minister recalls William Pember Reeves as a politician and author from 1880 to 1900.
2. F. M. B. Fisher remembers Prime Minister, William Massey. He talks about the Reform Government coming to power in 1911 and Massey's opposition to early motor cars in New Zealand. He recalls Massey's cabinet members including Sir Francis Bell, Sir James Allen, Sir William Herries and Sir William Fraser.
He recalls the general strike in 1913 and claims the majority of New Zealanders were behind the government. The strike was soon followed by the outbreak of World War I.
He is critical of the War Office in London which approached New Zealand to take control of Samoa, but was unhelpful in sending information about the German defences on Samoa.
The Admiralty promised a naval escort for the two New Zealand troop transports but it never appeared.
He then explains the difficulties caused by the Admiralty which said there was no need for an escort for the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
He describes how the troop ships departed but a telegram was then received from Australia saying German raiders were in New Zealand waters. The ships were recalled and Massey demanded an escort or threatened to tender the resignation of the whole Cabinet.
The Admiralty eventually sent two cruisers, the Minotaur and the Ibuki as escorts.
In 1915 Fisher went to England and went to the Admiralty and asked what had happened to the Samoa expedition escorts. They instead had escorted the Australian expeditionary force to New Guinea.
He concludes that 1914 proved New Zealand can not rely on any help from Great Britain in times of war and must be self-reliant when it comes to defence.