Mr Fraser at Feilding

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 13, 10 July 1884, Page 2

Mr Fraser at Feilding

Mr Donald Fraser addressed the electors of Feildmj£Jtn the Public Hall on Tuesday evening. The room was crowded, and /qre noticed among the j audience eleietdrs^from every part of • the district. Pafaierston was especially r well represented.^ | Mr Sherwill, the Majjbr, was in the , chair. On introducing' Mr Fraser, he i said that as that gentleman was a i stranger among them, tfs well as being a candidate for their suffrages, he ■ expected Mr Fraser to receive a fair > and impartial hearing. He said that in order to secure this, special arrangements to enforce order in the Hall had been made. Any larrikin or other person disturbing the proceed--1 ings would be at once ejected and > given into custody. The patieqce of ■ the respectable portion of the com--1 munity had now become exhausted, and a determination had been arrived ' at that, for the future, under no circumstances would a few blackguard boys be allowed to disturb men who | had met for business or pleasure. Mr Fraser then came forward and was greeted with applause. He said , that his candidature was not of his own seeking. Several of the electors thought more of him than' he did himself. He never expected a requisition, but when he received it he thought it only fair to those who asked him that he should accept, and come forward and state his views. If the electors did not choose him he would be satisfied. If they elected him he would work for them to the best of his ability. His policy was strict economy. There must be more borrowing to complete the works now uncompleted. He believed only in reproductive works. He believed in the Government carrying on the railways to keep faith with the people at Home who had lent the colony money. On the subject of education, he favored the present system, but would advocate denominational! sm if a scheme could be suggested whereby the two could run together without clashing. He thought this might be difficult as there were so many denominations already and new ones might start up every day. He considered the present education scheme too expensive, and could be reduced by half. Education up to the fourth standard was sufficient. When parents wanted higher education they should pay for it themselves, and not expect the State to do it. With reference to children under seven years of age being' sent to school, he said that this 5 Imight be remedied by diminishing the number and increasing the capitation. The system of High Schools was, the poor man jmying for the educa'tidnKdffthe rich man's children. On the land question, he quoted ,thjß: various schemes. For himself he believed in the deferred payment system. But he would be opposed to any plan whereby the land which had already been bought at high prices would be reduced in value. He wanted the country opened up. While he advocated the sale of small blocks of land, yet they should be large enough to enable a farmer to use modern machinery, to enable him to compete with the American farmers. On taxation, emigration, and the Native question, Mr Fraser's views have already been reported. He spoke in favor of local industries being fostered by the Government. He thought the volunteers should receive a larger subsidy. He would accept £100 as a sufficient honorarium. These are the principal of his remarks. His policy would be economy, and more borrowing to complete works. He then sat down. The Chairman then invited ques- ! tions. | Mr Eutherford— What stake have you in Feilding ? Mr Fraser— Two seotions, but whether quarter-acre or half-acre I do not know. Mr Eutherford— ls it not a fact that these sections are put down to on the Borough rate book, and that no rates have been paid for some tjm'e past ? Mr Fraser— lf I have been applied to for rates I have paid them. Mr Cottrell asked if he had any land at Aorangi. Mr Fraser — Yes f Mr Cottrell — Does not this property " : *- really belong to the Johnston family ? The Chairman ruled that this ques y tion was not in order, but Mr Fraser said they could ask him any questiah they liked. He had nothing to conceal. • Mr T. Sexton— You are not very • clear on the denominational question; will you please repeat your views ? Mr Fraser— lf there is any scheme proposed where a denomination can be' supported, without breaking up tne r present Education Act, I will support it. .;; •. Mr Savage— How can you siipp&rt denominationalism and secularism at the same time ? •• . • .: > " • Mr Fraser — I- would support any schema th&t.could do this. - : ■„» , ■[[. Dr Johnston— Then you anThi faror of denonimatipnalism ? ■ Mr Fraser— fam a secularist. D^°. h ? st t on -I;f yPM are^njaf or^f secularist; bow can you preieMto £$>* ••" ■■ ■■■' =! -J.i.- -'-.iim-;,^. Tj^ ■ ' ' ''.-'■■ ->.**»"

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denominations without breaking the pre- . sent Seeular Act P Mr Fraser— So long as they did not interfere with each other. Dr Johnston— You wish to graut Catholics in proportion to their payments to the State, yet you say you are in favor of secular- education. How can you reconcile your two statements ? You are trying to make black white. Why, man, - you don't know the difference between them! • , . „ ... Mr. Savage— Do you mean to tell this meeting that a poor man's son has not »s much right to receive a higher education as a rich man's son? The low standards do not fit a child to fill the higher stations in the colony. Mr Fcaser— The State should onlv educate up to the fourth standard. We ' cannot afford at preseatto go any higher. Dr Johnston— What are your views on | the Grand Trunk Railway scheme P Mr Fraser— l do- not believe in the Taranaki line; have seen most of the country thereabouts, and the land opened up would not warrant it. The best route was the Central. Dr Johnston— Would you support the Oroua Valley line for the Central Railway as against that joining in with the main line at Marton? Mr Fraser said that should be decided \}j the engineers. He had no bias, even though he had land that would be benefitted by the Marton line. Mr Bartholomew If the Oroua Valley ■ route is the best would you support it P Mr Fraser— Yes, I would support it through thick and thin. Mr Lethbridge— Would you be in favor of doing away with the tolls on the bridge at the Lower Ferry on the Manawatu, when erected. Mr Fraser— l have a great ob]ection to tolls. Mr Lethbridge— Would you be prepared to rate the settlers for fhe one fourth, they have to find for the erection of the bridge. Mr Fraser said the Government should pay this. All the south end of the .North I -.land was benefit teJ by this bridge. A small section of the community should not liave to pay it. Mr Lethbridge— As this is impossible uudrr tne present Acts, how do you pro po»e to build the bridge ? Air Fraser's reply was not audible at the reporter's table. Mr Gosling— lf elected, which side of the House weuld you support ? Mr Fraser would not support Grey or M ontcomery. An regards the others, lie could not say. He believed in Atkinson and Bryce, and if Vogel and Atkinson led two separate parties he would probably foliow Atkinson, but he would not bind hiuwelf. "' Mr Blackmore— On what grounds do y«u claim the right to be elected as a local candidate ? Mr Fraser— Because the electors asked me. Mr Fraser here spoke on Local Option and said when a Licenxing Committee closed a house, compensation should, be paid. Dr Johnston— What are your views on Feder«tion ? Mr Fra.<er said. »e ought to " feather our own nests" first. In the meantime he would not be in favor of it ; better men than himself, who were experienced politicians, could not decide the question and he conld not settle it in a moment.

Mr Goslin« .proposed a vote of thank*, which was seconded, by Mr Lethbridge.

Mr E. H. Wright spoke to the resolution. He said it was a misnomer to introduce Mr Donald Fraaer as a stranger. Mr Fraaer had been in the Manawatu tor years. He was one of themselves and not the nominee of absentee landlords. When '• r Halcombe steod, the people in every part of the district opposed him (There were loud cries of dissent here and Mr Wright sat down}.

Mr Fraser thanked the electors for the patient hearing they had given him. H^ coped that each candidate would be Toted for on his merits and not on por•onal grounds. He proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairmau, which was given, and the meeting dispersed.