MR Wm. FRASER AT ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1023, 25 November 1881, Page 3

MR Wm. FRASER AT ALEXANDRA.

Mr W. Fraser opened the electoral campaign on November 17th at Alexandra, where he was given a patient and impartial hearing. Mr Simmonds, of Alexandra, oenipied the chair. “That Mr Fraser was a fit and proper peason to represent the electorate,” wan proposed by Mr R. Finlay, and seconded by Mr W. G. Rees. The motion was carried.

Mr Fraser addressed fully 100 electors in the Town Hall, Clyde, on Nov 18. Mr Joss occupied the chair.

Mr Fraser said he had great pleasure in meeting the people of Clyde. It is said that the art of phrasing was the art of deceiving -, he would vary the rule : he would not deceive, and hoped before he finished Ids address to please. Ho did not doubt it bad been told them over and over again, and that by his apponent, that he was”not an independent candidate, but the nominee of a clique; that he was opposed to the cutting up of the runs and the construction of the Central Otago Railway. Now’ the peison who made those charges had no right to do so as ho knows my views fully. Regarding the nominee business, the first I heard of that faction was when in Wellington, and saw a telegram from Tapanui pointing to him as a party watching the course of events on the interests of the squatters. Had that been the case, he would have got his cxpences paid, whereas they came o.tt of his own pocket. What he went to Wellington for was to get the Government to pass an Act to deal with the rabbit question and after being there nearly three months succeeded. He knew nothing whateverof the party, and believed it only existed in the brain of the emmeiator of the minor. In reference to the cutting up of the runs, he still held the same views as 1 hose expressed in a letter he wrote in May last, and published in the (Daily Times under the mm deplume “Justitia” He did not sign the letter, as he did not seek popularity. He wrote the letter because he di I not wish to see legislation in the wrong direction- As he had made arrangements for the publishing it in the next week’s “Witness” as an advertisement People would he enabled to see for themselves; he would therefore but briefly quote from it. Having read portionsof the letter he asked if it was not strange fer a squatter to hold such opinions and be opposed to settlement. The letter was written in the view of legislation, but it did not take place however; he saw by to lays paper that the Government was going to act under the existing laws and release the runs in smaller areas for 10 years’ terminable at one years nolice. He would like to see the land classified into three classes—Agricultural, mixed agricultural and pastoral, and purely pastoral. Maps should be prepared sheving the classification, the two former classes should be surveyed and put into the marker, at once, and where two anplications to be decided by ballot, tbpug be didn’t believe in it,as under it a man might lie unlucky for 10 years. Yet he thought it better tlian auction, as under it people were liable to pay too much, thus tying a burden round their lacks to their own injury and to the detriment of the State, as it could he no possible advantage to extract the lust farthing from the people for the land In the classification duo regard would have to be paid to the auriferons lands, to see that none were alienated, and that large reserves for tail races, etc, be made The plan he had sketched out was free selection after survey of all lands open for settlement, so that any man could take up a piece of land where he wanted it. He further thought that the land should be valued, as no two adjoining sections, except in rave instances, were of the same value, and moreover the value should be low, so that a man could make something out of it. These were his views, and .as his opponent, who was very astutely following, aynuld doubtless attack them, he thought it but fair that he should criticise his opponent's programme In that programme compulsory residence on pastoral leases was advocated Such a system he though was unsouud in theory and mischievous in practice, as if such wore were enforced the low lands would alone find tenants, while the high lands would become immense rabbit warrens The idea was a laudable one, but was impracticable Another point was the reserving of large hundreds in the neighborhood of every block opened for settlement With this he did not agree Re the Otago Central railway ho had never opposed it, and in his

small way had done what was possible to farther it He did not agree with the Bill giving power to private companies to construct railways, but at the same time gave the hint to embody a rating clause, without which thq Bill would have been useless, as no money could have been raised under it. Re the construction of railways, it had been reported that he was in favor of the Swift Greek railway. He took the opportunity of giving the statement the most emphatic denial. In respect to local Government, he was opposed to the return to any l;hing approaching Provincial Governments. The County system, though it had not worked well, was far more preferable. To make it work the exact revenue must lie laid down, and the 20 per cent, of the Land Fund must be returned for expenditure on the road. Regarding Educaoqtion he was in favor of payment by results, so that Catholics or others who worked their schools under Government control should) receive their proportion of the Government vote. He thought the standard too high, and was of opiuion that all who desired their children to advance beyond the first standard should pay on a sliding scale, according to the standard. He pronounced himself a Free Trader, pure and simple. Objected to the gold duty, as it was a tax on gross earnings, and would vote for its repeal: As to local option, a district should have the right to say how many public-houses it required, but it should not have the power to interfere with vested interests without compensation. Direct steam communication with England he would support as one of the best colonising agents, as by it a ready market and a fixed price would be established In reply to questions, said was not in favor of free selection before survey ; was in favor of reform of the Upper House by making it elective, but did not forget the many good things it has done and the benefits it has conferred on the country ; no lands in the immediate vicinity of the goldfields should be sold Was in favor of triennial Parliaments, as he thought all representatives should appear frequently before their constiments, but held that a member v/;g no mere delegate—he went to Parliament to use his brains, and not to vote and act in fear of bis constituents. Think present Government deserve thanks of and if returned will support them—but not through thick and thiu. Would not be in favor of a land tax generally, but if possible would tax all unimproved lands that are benefited by railways or other public works As a general principle, he would object to tax lands so long as there is land in the hands of the State for sale In favor of selling tiie hill pastoral lands, but care will have to he exercised not to include auriferous lauds or mining rights and privileges there not being any more questions, Mr Arthur Dunn proposed and Mr McArthur seconded, that Mr Win Fraser is a fit and proper person to represent the Dunstan District in the Legislative Assembly Jhe motion being put, was carried by a show of hands, none being raised in opposition

A vote of thanks to the chair by Mr Fraser brought the meeting to a close [Our restricted space has necessarily caused us to curtail our report.]