THE HON W. FRASER AT WAIKAKA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15138, 30 November 1914, Page 8

THE HON W. FRASER AT WAIKAKA.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM.) GORE, Novomber 29. Last night tho Hon. W. Fraser addressed the largest political mooting ever held at Waikaka. Ho referred to the fact that he had represented the Wakatipu electorate for. twenty-one years, and ho left sure that nothing he had done during that lengthy term would offer any excuse for the electors declining to givo him their support in the future. The Minister went on to say that every Government expected criticism, but ho did not know that the Opposition criticism was always fair. Ho did not think that any Government could have administered tho Dominion's affairs so satisfactorily during such a short term in tho face of so many untoward events. The work had been most' arduous. Sir Joseph Ward said he could have settled the strike in two days. Yes, but in what -way? He would havo given way to the strikers and that would havo been only a fresh beginning of tho trouble. (Applause.) 31r Fraser referred at some length to tho action of the Government in regard to tiio war and the sending away of tho men. The task had not been a light ono. and although slight unavoidable mistakes had occurred, he maintained that the greatest credit was due to all those who were"responsible for the despatch of the Expeditionary Force. (Applause.) The Huntiy mining disaster was referred to at considerable length. Air Fraser giving details of the steps tho Government had taken. He 'said those who know the facts and were concealing them were not playing the game. It was a despicable thing for their opponents to attempt to make political capital out of the disaster. (Applause.) He next dealt with the charge of extravagance brought against the present Government, and pointed out that during tho last two years ho had spent £46.000 v less than tho 31inister iv charge A during the previous two years. Ho could not. help the fact that the expenditure on , public buildings had been greater, as the present Government hatl to carry ' out the old Government's programme. A vote of thanks and confidence was i accorded tho 3linister. in face of .an 1 amendment: "That this meeting thanks s 31r Fraser for his address, but has no 1 confidence in the present Government." J Tho amendment was lost by a very . la rue majority and tho motion.carried i with cheers, as opposed to a slight coun- i ter-deihonstration from the back of the 1 hall. <