Arrowtown : April 16, 1896.

Lake County Press, Issue 704, 16 April 1896, Page 2

Arrowtown : April 16, 1896.

There was little, if anything, new or very important about Mr Fraser’s address on Saturday last., The hon. gentleman confined himself pretty much to speaking about the now threadbare topic of the Treasurer’s bogus surplusses, and the more momentuous question to the colony at large of the banking legislation introduced by the Government during the sessions of 1894-95. Mr Fraser showed that he was clearly conversant with the above subjects, and what he wished to explain to his hearers was pretty plainly and j clearly conveyed. At all events the electors who were present appeared perfectly satisfied with the hon. gentleman’s statement, so much so, that not one person present seemed to think it necessary to ask their member one single question, although such important matters as the liquor question, the Land for Settlement Bill, Advances to Settler’s Act, village settlement, Government fire insurance. Public Works, assisting and developing the mining industry, purchase of the Colonial Bank, etc., were never touched upon in Mr Fraser’s address. Regarding the alleged surpluses of Treasurer Ward, Mr Fraser did not deny hut that they did exist, but they were not arrived at in the way Mr Ward would have the people of the' colony to believe, viz., through the revenue of the colony being greater than the expenditure. Sinking Funds had been seized and added to the revenue account, tills showing a surplus, whereas actually, on the year’s,,operations, there was a heavy deficit. This is an oft told tale, the Treasurer's want of candor in regard to these surpluses, but if this is the gravest charge the opposition members can bring against the present Government, then we say most emphatically, that the affairs of the country are not in such very bad hands after all. Speaking about the banking bills introduced during tbo past two sessions, Mr Fraser was particularly clear and careful to make his meaning simple and plain to his hearers, and his views regarding the action of Parliament on this important matter, coincide with our own exactly. If there were many amongst those who listened to Mr Fraser on Siturday

Our H.H.R.

night, who in the past have condemned the Government and the House for their action in dealing with this most serious difficulty, we feel convinced that what was so clearly and lucidly explained will cause them to alter their opinion, and also that the prevalent idea that the colony had contracted a heavy liability and, certain loss at no very distant date in backing the Bank of N.Z., is now an exploded notion. Mr Fraser was one of the select coamittee appointed to report on the Bank : s position during last session, and he made it prettv clear to his hearers that the committee’s report and subsequent recommendation to the House was the very best that could be arrived at in tk* interests of tha Bank, the shareholders, and the whole colony, and our member appears to be very sanguine as regards the ultimate benefits that will be derived by all concerned. If the outcome turns out to be as satisfactory as Mr Fraser predicts, and we have no reason to doubt it, it will tend to show that certain of the Government followers are not altogether devoid of brains and business capacity, because the committee was selected from both sides of the House, and the present arrangement is the result of their joint deliberations. Mr Fraser is no extremist in his political views, and we believe that he will continue to honestly support measures and not men. Whether on the Opposition or Government uide of the House, he will always command tho respect of his fellowmembers. Being a gentleman of good sense, a lengthened colonial experience, and sound business capacity, we feel satisfied that the interests of the Wakatipu electorate and the country generally will receive careful attention at the hands of our present member.