MR. PHASER, M.P.C. CLYDF.

Dunstan Times, Issue 325, 17 July 1868, Page 3

MR. PHASER, M.P.C. CLYDF.

On Saturday evening last Mr. W. Fraser, M.P.C., met his Civile constituents at the Town Hall. Mr. J. D. Ferand, J.P., occupiei the chair. The meeting was numerously attended, • .and the honorable gentleman met with a mist cordial reception. Mr. Frafor said that his obj e' in 'calling the w.is to show them that he did not shirk the responsibilities of the oftice to which they had elected him. Tie believed that he was returns I, not only to represent ths Dunstan, but the interests of the Province at large, The Council was much divided, but a just estimate of affairs could not he gathered from the public press, as each journal viewed events from one particular political point of view. He (Mr. Fraser) would give them his reasons for voting on the various topics at issue. The Land Question. —In the early part of the Session he had supported the Government, because he believed in their honesty of purpose. He supported them on the Hundreds Qbestjon in that petition for the declaration of Hundreds should, instead of being presented by honorable members, be first dealt with by a committee, as he believed that, in many cases, members voted without making inquiry , and a committee could best jirlge if the particular hundred 1 for was really required. The Council ._'could not of itself declare a Hundred; it could only recommend the Governor to do so, and there was the danger of petitions coming from persons who only required more land to rnn their stockupon without paying assessment. The Opposition strenuously opposed the measure, but the Government succeeded in getting it passed. Had there have been a Committee to make inquiries into hundreds last year he could not then have voted against the Tokomairiro and Taicri Hundreds, The Opposition was composed mainly of members whohad come to the Council purposely to oppose any measure brought forward by the Government. With the doing 3 of the Government during the recess he (Mr. Fraser) wa-i not exactly satisfiedwith, but, upon inquiry he foun'i- they had done their best, and he supported them accordingly. The sale of land in hundreds at 10s. per acre after having been open for purchase seven years

was bitterly opposed by the Opposition who agreed justly that the principle deterred people from purchasing at £1 per acre; but he considered that any laud not being taken up during so long a period must of necessity be of very inferior quality. That sold lately had realised from 12s, to 17s. per acre, and as the proceeds had been laid out upon public works the province must have been benefited. As long as the Hundred system remained intact it must bo acted upon. The sale of Bush Reserves affected the people in the interior equally with those on the coast, everyone must be aware of the destruction of timber caused by' persons cutting out only the best; ths Government therefore thought that the best system of preserving the Native forests was, when they were under 10,009 acres to sell them, as by their becoming private property, they would be economically consumed, and the competition between owners of bush lauds would necessarly reduce the price of timber to the consumer. In leasing the Bush Lands, two or three persons could combine to monopolise a vast tract, and charge just what thoy liked. Two individuals had actually applie 1 for the whole of the Tapanui Bush, consisting of 10,000 acres. The Opposition had proposed to hand over the Bash [reserves to the Road Boards, but he, Mr. Fraser considered they were the property of the Province at large. Refering again to the question of Hundreds, he Mr. Fraser, was not thoroughly in favor of that system, and thought there might lw a hotter ; formerly there was an Improvement clause, compelling occupiers to exnen I so much per acre upon their land but that had been expunged. He, Mr. Fraser believe i that th? time would come when we should have freo selection—such really was the only true system of settlement. Agricultural Liases.—Tin Government had not acted fairly to all parties in these matters, tiny had thrown the onus of thei r difficulties upon the run-holders, but the runhol ler.s had no option in the matter, it was one of the Clauses in the Leases, th.it the Government eoul > take blocks lor settlement, but the fact was the Government had not settled the amount of compensation From fourteen to fifteen thousand acres had been surveyed in the Bunstan district, and as soon as the amount of compensation to ho given the run-holders, was settled, the land would be open for occupation. He, Mr. Fr.iser had gone to the Land Office from ti.ue to time to acquire information on this matter, so that he could give satisfactory answers to those of his constituents, who wanted laud, Wakitip Runs.—Thought that the sale j of these Runs would have inllicted a great j iuju stiee upon the present owners of stock j i i the Wakatip district, as they had ex- I pmded all their capital upon tiie faith of' tae Government not idsturbiug thorn in taeir posicssioas. Some of the owntrs of ftoek might be in a position to purchase j the iease of th .irrum : while others could | not ro do so, aid it would be unjust to | urivc the poorer u ies to the wall, or com- ! pel them to incur heavy liabilities. He, j Mr. Fraser thought that the better plan in j dealing with these runs, would have been' 11 have re jnesScd the occupiers to define j their boundaries, and then offered them leases at reasonable rates, and they would I have been relieved from the quarreling and I bickering which must eventually take place from universal commonage ; let alone the loss that must arise, should scab make its appearance amongst the mixed thicks. He (Mr. Fraser) had supported the continuance of the £.'! to il subsidy on Hospital collections, aa 1 that amount would be continued. He also supported a motion for rendering professional assistance to miners engaged in cutting long water-races. A properly qualified person might travel round the different mining districts, aud he of much assistance. Great losses had arisen from imperfect levels having been taken in the cutting of water-races, and there would ho a real saving to the country by the appointment. He instanced the thousands of pounds wasted over the Shag Valley Water-race, ant the advantages accruing to miners when seeking assistance from capitalists, who, by knowing that pro less onal skill had been employed, woul.l have more confidence in the undertaking. The Government, however, thought the present local survey staff was able to render any assistance required. The sum of £I,GOO had been voted for school buildings, and £1,200 for libraries. This money could be obtained upon application being made. Respecting the £120,000 loan, he (Mr. Fraser) thought it all very well to vote for it, hut could not see how it was to be obtained, as the poorer provinces would be also asking for loans, and Otago, being in a good position, would be called upon to make herself liable for them. He, however, held that, with reference to public works, it was impossible to do all that was required out of current revenue. It was enough for the present generation to pay the interest on these works, and those that came afterwards the principal. The £15,000 for water reservoirs was contingent upon this loan. Retrenchment in the Civil Service of the province was absolutely necessary. The present expenditure was £ 115,000 per annum, one-half of the estimated revenue. A Committee to reduce this had been appointed, but they failed to do anything. The best course for the Committee would have been, instead of going into, the ] >ast year's estimates, to have sent for the' different heads of departments, and inquired of thorn what officers 1 services they could dispense with, and settle the question of salaries afterwards. A member proposed a motion, which was adopted : " That the Government should give twelve months' notice to all their officials." They can then discharge them without compensation—that is, those whose services arc not required. He believed that a considerable number of

offices might be amalgamated, and from £28,000 to f.'iO.OOO per annum saved. He (Mr. Fraser) thought tho establishment of a Provincial University highly desirable, and the Government proposed to endow it with a centain amount of lam 1 . The Presbyterian body possessed sufficient funds to pay for one chair, and we should only have to pay for two or three more. A Provincial University could best be carried out after the Scotch system. There grown. up persons could avail themselves of the benefits of a college education, Were an University once started it would remain, as the longer it was established the more perfect it would become, and no other would be likely to be started in New Zealand. The benefits to be derived by the province from the establishment of an University woiild be manifold. At present it was of no use keeping boys long at school, as they could not be fitted for the learned professions. The close contests in the Council made the necessity for a dissolution, many important questions had been settled by the casting vote of tho Speaker. A great deal had taken place during the past Session, which was a disgrace to Provincial Institutions, and he, Mr. Fraser often-times felt ashamed to sit in the Council, and if the past proceedings is to be a sample of the future Session, he, Mr. Fraser would not retain his seat. Previous to a dissolution, he would recommend that the Council meet for a short Session so as to adjust the representation, b}' an increase of District members. The honorable member concluded, by explaining that he had striven to do his duty by his Constituents, and had done the best he could for the place represented by him, sat down amidst considerable applause. A number of questions were put from the meeting, all of which wore satisfactorily answered : after which; an unanimous vote was carried, thanking Mr. Fraser for his attendance, and expressing confidence in him as member for the Dunstaa District. The usual vote to the Chairman, concluded the business of the evening. On Monday night, Mr. Fraser addressed a crowded meeting of his Constituents at the Benuigo Hotel, Alexandra, where a similar vote of confidence was Curried. On Wednes lay, he held another meeting at Cromwell, which was attended with alike result.