The Honorable G. E. Foster, Conservative....

         So who was he?  Anyone of importance?  According to The Mercury on May 12, 1913,  he was the  Minister of Trade and Commerce of Canada and part of a delegation exploring preferential trade with Australia.  He was particularly interested in Tasmanian fruit production.  It is amazing to think that 100 years ago, Canadians might be interested in importing fruit from Tasmania that could only be traveling by boat - how long would that take??

         On another note, Mr. Foster seemed to be complimentary of universal training for Australian men.  According to the National Archives of Australia, the Defense Act of 1909 required that men aged 18 to 60 were required to perform militia service within Australia and its territories between 1911 and 1929.

                                                     The entire article can be found here .