COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 24 May 1913, Page 5

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

TO HON. W. FRASER.

A complimentary banquet, tendered by the Masterton Borough Council, County Council, A. a-nd P. Association, and Chamber of Commerce-, to the Hon. W. Fraser Minister .. for Public Works, was held in the Club Hotel last evening. , His Worship tlie Mayor (Mr J. M. Ooradine) presided, and there were present: Dr Newman and Messrs G. R. Sykes, and J. H. Escott, M's.P., A. E. Mabin, H: D. Vickery, J. Mcintosh (Wellington Chamber of Commerce), C. E, Daniell (chairman Masterton Chamber of Commerce), D. J. Welch (chairman Masterton County Council), D. McGregor, jun. (Masterton A. and P. Association), and a large attendance of leading citizens. At the conclusion of an excellent dinner, provided by Host Crass, and when the toast of the King was duly honoured, the chairman proposed the toast of the guest of the evening (the Hon. W. Fraser). Mr Condine said it afforded him, on behalf of the citizens of Masterton, the greatest picasure to welcome Mr Fraser to Masterton, not only on account of his long and honour-able record as a public servant, but also as a Minister of the Crown, and he was sure all present would endorse what he (Mr Coradine) said.—(Hear, hear.) Mr Fraser had entered the Wairarapa by what was considered the "stiflW" of its progress. He referred to the Rimu-t-a-ka line. A colleague of Mr Fraser's had said some time ago. that he diid not like coming to the Waiiarana on account of the Rhiutaka, and he did j not wonder at it. As far as the Wdirarapa was concerned, he could assure the Minister that —to use n» American phrase—they had the "goods" to offer.— hear.) He could not underS#Tfl why poowle should want to go hack into the wilds j when land, partly developed, could I be got near- at hand.' There was j plenty of land, within easy distance, which, if fully developed, would pro- ' duce a hundredfold more than it was producing now, and the return-would bo gained_much quicker. There was a fine investment offered on opening •up the lands close at hand. Mr Fraser, who was received with prolonged applause, thanked those present, for the manner in which his health was honoured. The Mayor was good enough to say he had for many years taken m interest in public work. It might he said that to had spent more years in public life ttlan many of those present had lived. It was 47* years since he entered the Provincial Council for the Otago district. He was returned by the dig-, gers, who were not' very fond of "squatters" at that time. He had taken a full share in establishing the new syste-n of counties, and for ten consecutive yeara had been chairman of a County Council. The experience he had then gained was of great service to him afterwards, and now as Minister of .Public,, Works. The County Council was a splendid training ground for these aspiring to higher honours. For the last twenty years he had represented Wakatipu in Parliament, and had to contest an election each time he was returned. As to land for settlement, he agreed that there were many areas of land nearer the towns more suitable for ■settlement' than the land far back. ' Much of the land which peple thought was highly cultivated,„ was only half cultivated. Instead of driving people away back, it would be better to develop their assets at the very door, and encourage men to go on the land. It was the man with capital who should go back. The chairman had said the Wairarapa could «how the "goods." Well, lie had seen the "goods" for himself.—(Hear, hear.) During the past two days he had seen much excellent land. Indeed, he was agreeably surprised. There was much talk of roads and railways, but he was convinced that roads were first necessary in backblocks. Railways would be of little tise if there were no roads by which to get to them. Ho also thought a great deal would he done for settlers by the introduction of motor waggons. They ; .must, of course, have the roads first. The Wairarapa had many good roads, but they were not all finished. He would like to see the rad he had travelled over that day (Pongaroa; to Eketahuna) finished, but he could not give all the money to do this. He would like to see the men who went away back assisted, and it was his deside to do the most he possibly could for this fair district. He would help the district because it was his duty to do eo. He and his colleagues would give the people a square deal, and he would ask the people to give them a square deal too.—(Applause.) He hoped this would not bo the last time lie would, visit Masterton. ,