Mr Fraser at Hampden.

Hastings Standard, Issue 187, 3 December 1896, Page 3

Mr Fraser at Hampden.

[From 0« r Ow>- Corrkspoxhex r/ At the Honest of a number of the residents of the llampd* 11 district Mr Fraser addressed a large assemblage ■jf both s»-\i-s in the Oddfellows Hall last night. Mr Buchanan occupied the chair. The candidate explained the reason of his second visit. It was that the Press and private individuals had misrepresented him. He clearly showed that his remarks with regard to the increase in the public debt were wrongly reported That what he had quoted from Hansard in reference to bis opponents utterances on the Chinese 3uestion were supported by fact. He welt trenchantly with the blind policy of the Opposition and their attempt to gain the Ministerial benches under false pretences. That,- like the buccaneer of old, they hoisted a deceiving flag, whereby to deceive their victims. He reviewed by logical argument and submitted statistics as to what the results had been, and would be, as a result of the Government policy. Land for Settlement, Advances to Settlers, Railway Administration, Labor Measures, Ac., were dealt with. He spoke for an honr and a-half and received a most appreciative hearing. At the conclusion of his address a number of questions were asked, chiefly the now stock one the railway crossing-keepers. These being answered, Mr Austin proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Fraser, and Miss Buchanan seconded it. Mr Hickey followed with a vote of thanks and confidence, which, at the special request of Mr Fraser, was withdrawn, he reminding the people ILa v- " in a few hours they could . jeir approval or disapproval of r: ■ ...didature in a more forcible art«i V-- ent manner at the ballot-box. l.>-in:;-- the meeting there were one or •■*.» ntermptions from a wellknown -heep fanner in this district, but on the thin! occasion the reply he received from Mr Fraser satisfied him, that Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread."