HON. W. FRASER AT WAIKAKA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2320, 30 November 1914, Page 6

HON. W. FRASER AT WAIKAKA

HUNTLY AND OTHER MATTERS; (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . Core, November 29. The Hon. W. i'raser last night addressed the largest political meeting ever held at' Waikaka. Ho referred to the fact that he had represented Wakatipu for 21 years, and Gaid he felt sure that nothing ha had done during that lengthy term would offer'any excuse for the electors declining, to give him support m the future. He claimed'that he had in every way possible done his utmost for his electorate' and the Dominion. The, Minister went on to say that every Government expected critic-, ism, but he did not know that the' Opposition criticism was always fair. He did not think any Government could have administered the Dominion's affairs more satisfactorily during such -a short term in the face of so many untoward events. Tho work had been most arduous. The Government had to face the tail ond of Waihi strike, and the following year tho smallpox scare, then the waterside workers' strike, and now ..there was tho war. From Sir Joseph Ward the party in power'had received very little help. Sir 'J. d. Ward 6aid he could have settled the strike in two days. Yes, but in what way. Ho would have given way to the. strikers and that would have oeeu wily a fresh beginning of the trouble. (Applause.) Mr. Fraser referred at some length to tho action of the Government in regard to the war and the (sending away of the men. Tho task had not been a' light one, and; although slight unavoidable mistakes had occurred lie maintained that the greatest credit was due to all those responsible for the dispatch of tho Expeditionary Force. (Applause.) From the first week the Government had assumed office it realised that a deliberate plan waa afoot to block legislation. The Uuntly mining disaster was referred to at considerable length, the speaker giving details of the steps tho Government had taken. - Ho eaid that, those who know the facts and were concealing them- were not playing tho game. It was a despicable tlnnj; for opponents to attempt to make political capital out of the disaster. (Applause.) The Minister next doalt with the charge of extravagance brought against, tho present Government. Ho pointed out that during the last two years no had spent £JB,OOO less than the Minister in charge durint! the previous two

years. Ho could not help the fact that the expenditure on public buildings had been greater, as the present Govornnieut had to carry out the old Government's programme. . Amongst other matters the Minister also refrred to allegations of increaeed taxation, in which ho said there was not ono word of truth. The Customs tariff had not keen increased one penny; the, increase I so far as the present party was concerned wae due to the increase in the graduated tax. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the Minister in the face of an 'amendment that this meeting thanks Mr. Fraser for his address, but has no confidence in the present Government. The amendment was lost by a very large majority, end the motion was carried with cheers, as opposed to a slight counter demonstration from the- hack of the hall. ■' ' ■