COLONEL FRASER, M.H.R., AT TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3005, 17 October 1891, Page 2

COLONEL FRASER, M.H.R., AT TE AROHA.

Ak previously announced Colonel Fraser met his constituents on Wednesday evening the 14th instant, and although the rain was falling heavily, a very large number were in attendance. Mr C. Ciirnei proposed and Mr Geo. Lipsey seconded that Mr James Mills occupy the chair. The motion was carried unanimously. The chairman stated that before making any introductory remarks with reference to Col. Fraser, he had to thank the committee of the Young Men's Club for having waived their right to tho hall on this particular evening, although it had been engaged by them some time previously, and had allowed Col. Eraser's friends'to secure it for this occasion. Tho chairman thon briefly introduced Col. Fraser, who on rising was greeted with applause. Colonel Fraser then said that ho had made it a practice to address his constituents after each session, not so much with the view of giving an account of his stewardship as to moot the eloctnrs face to face and to obtain their opinion as to how he had attended to their wants, and to consult about tha future. It was not his intention to address the electors everywhere as he considered this address was intended for all his constituents. The session just closed had lasted nearly four months and had been a very disngreeabto and bitter one. One of the incidents was tho resignation of Mr Bryce, for whom he entertained a hiarh opinion as a tmn and a. membor of the House. As the representative of a neighbouring constituency he had often oon suited Mr Bryce, liufc ho entirely disapproved of his resignation, the cause not being sufficient to justify such an extreme course. Hβ had occasionally hoard in the House more objectionable lansungo than that used by Mr Bryco without notico being taken of the words, but ho thought that tho fact of the words used by Mr Bryce having been taken down he should have submitted to the ruling of the Speaker, and set an example to die younger members of tlin House. The action of the Premior had buen generous throughout the whole of the unfortunate incident and there is no doubt thnre was indecent haste on the part of the Leader of the Opposition, in placing Mr Bryce's resignation in the hands of the Speaker. As early »» possible after taking his seat in tho House, and after consultation with Mr Bryce, he cave notico of a Bill for the removal of the disqualification iinnosed on Mr \V. S. Allen, his opponent for this seat in the election last December, and hn had hoped he would have got it through. Had he been present at the commencement of the session hn had no doubt h« would have succeeded in doing so. When tho Bill came on for its secmd readiug it was lifth on tho order paner, but it was not reached on that day. He then wrc to to the Premier asking th.it in view of the Bill having been recommended to bo passed by a Committed of tho House, and as there was no opposition on oither side, and tint it would not occupy more than a few minutes in ivis-ing all stages, he hoped therefore the Government would pive this necessary facilities to get it passed during the session, and thus securo the return to the colony of a most desirable settler —a man with a large family and fortune. To this letter no reply was vouchsafed. After tho closo of tho Hussion, ho was informed by the Premier that he personally hid no objection to the Bill, but the law officers of the Government had stated that the Act would'have been unconstitutional and a reflection on the judges who sat on the case. With reference to tho Luid and Revaluation Bills, the latter Bill nffnetod many of his constituents —inoro especially at IShaftesbury and others around To Aroha. The Bill was successful in tho Lower House, but shared the fato of many of tho Governmont policy Bills and was thrown out by the Legislative Council. Tho Land Bill was tho cause of a deadlock between the two Houses and was dropped. Hβ regretted excendinsly the fato of the Revaluation Bill. The appointment of Mr Percivat us Agent-General was a popular one. Mr Percival was eminently fitted for tho position. Hβ was a man of ability and wealth, and a native of tho colonies, whore he had received a part of his education. He (Colonel Fraser) also approved of the appointment of Mr Roes as Chairman of Committees, but ho thought tho Government had shown a want of backbone in not, at tha first instance, stating -vho was their nominee. Ho had opposed the measure brought down by tho Postmaster General known as the Post Ofh'en Bill. Ho approved of the facilities proposed, but could not agree with the introduction of the penny postage, which would mem a loss of 603000—an amount which would be saved by the great financial institutions and commercial people, and not by the great majority of the working class. With reference to tho Main Tr.ink Railway, he was in favour ot the Central route and quite in accord with the committee who had reportod on tho matter. As to onr own railway, wo owe our sucews to the honesty, uprightness, and justice of the Kon, Mr Seddon, and I trust that before the coming Christmas tho line will be in progress. In speaking of what had been written by certain sections of the Press with roferonce to the bursting of large estates, Colonel Frascir stated emphatically that he was not in favour of the bursting up process, but that whim land was required for settlement purposes he thought that those estates should be taken at a fair value, and the people settled on the land. In reffurd to the honorarium question, he justified his vote on that mattor. He had always been in favour of payment to members. Although ho knew many would bo willing to go to Wellington for the honour and glory and pay thenselves in other ways, ha had gone into the lobby fearlessly, and not shaking in his shoes, as many had done, at what the electors would have to say on the subject. Colonel Fraser resumed his seat amidst considerable applause. After an invitation from tho Chairman to ask the Colonel questions, which elicited no response, Mr Gallagher moved that this meeting tender its hearty thanks to Colonel Fraser for tho attention he had paid to the requirement" of the district, and expresses its confidence in him as representative of this electorate.

This was seconded by Mr Downes and carried liy acclamation. Mr Comes thr.u moved this meeting approves of the gtmural policy of the Governnjont, and would surest that a sulficiont number be added to tho Legislative Council as will ensure tho passing of their policy Bills.

On this motion bain" seconded by Mr Gallagher, it was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman for thn able manner in which ho had conducted the business of the meeting concluded the proceedings.