Reply to Mr W. Fraser.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 21

Reply to Mr W. Fraser.

TO THE EDITOK.

Bib, — Some little time back Mr William Fraser, M.H.R. for Wakatipu, somewhat severely criticised a speech of the Hon. John M'Kenzie at the opening of a section of the Otago Central, Baying that it was damaging to the progress of the railway that he and others had bo much at heart. I took the liberty, in the interest of fair play, to point out that Mr Fraeer had not always expressed himself to that effect, and quoted the occasion. In return, Mr Fraser says that my assertion is a vile and venomous fabrication, &c , thus attempting to cave his political consistency by branding me as a person capable of bearing false testimony. Such accusation goes for nothing with people who are better acquainted with me, but as the brazen assertion may fiad credence with strangers to the deterioration of my good name, I crave epace of you to lay a few facts before the public, and shs.ll let people judge for themselves. At the Vincent County Council meeting on the 25th May 1887 (Mr Fraser chairman), Cr Pitches moved — "That the council resolves itself into a committee to consider the best means by which pressure should be brought to bear on the Government to ensure the speedy construction of the line." In the committee room, after some discussion, Cr Pitches asked the chairman to draw up a resolution, in the way of a protest, that the delay in constructing the line had proved disastrous to the

' ' ' in ■ ii ■' '■'■■ »K.».y interests of tho people ia the interior, aud urging its speedy construction. Me Fraser then made use of the expression quoted, "I(; is rather rich of Cr Pitches to ask me to lick his motion into shape. Really it is not to my interest to have the railway up hero." Aud there was nothing in this expression to find fault with. It was simply a 1 statement of fact, for as Mr Fraser was then situated, owner or manager of a vast sheep ruo, the advent of tho railway would have caused its cutting up, and if Mr Fraser had subscribed to a motion thab hia iaterotst had suffered through the delay oE tho railway, without this protest, he would hava been shamming. Aud that is what Mr Praser by denying having made use of the expression now insists that he was doing. But tha worsts remains. _ After leaving the /Council Chamber (the motion was among tho last on the notice* paper), Mr Fraser argued against the utility of the railway with one or two — myself included. People will naturally ask how I can remember all those things so minutely. I only attended five meetings of the Vincent County Council, and at nearly every one occurred some difference o£ opinion botween myself and Mr Fraser, and this was one instance. But Mr Fraser will perhaps fall back upon his old style of defence bycalling this another fabrication got up to injure him. Very well, I shall try Mr Fraser by another issue. A tree is known by its fruit, and a man should be judged by his actions. If Mr Fraser during all these years has had the progress of the Otago Central railway at heart, is ife not more than passing strange that while occupying the most influential position in this community that he makes out he was anxious to serve and also being an able writer he never at any time advocated its progress in either tha local or metropolitan press P He left 'that to such humble individuals as myself and others, and he never used his leading position as chairman to oall public meetings for its advocacy— although the Miners' Association, and I believe the borough couuoil, bestirred themselves ia that direction. But what a contrast in Mr Fraser's activity when engaged upon a matter concerning himself and his brother runholders ! When trying to raise a loan under the Local Bodies' Loans Acb to pay for the Cromwell bridge, Mr Fraser wrote nicely-worded notices and served them upon the ratepayers, asking them to be true to . their colours and roll up to the poll ; and this was really only benefiting to any extent four or five runholders who occupied nearly the whole surface in Vincent County, for to the great majority that only paid from 2s 6d to £1 in rate 3 it was almost immaterial whether they paid a double rate for a year or two or lost a day ia going to the poll. I only mention this to show tho difference ia Mr Fraser where his interest; was really concerned to his behaviour in tho matter that he now says he had so much at heart. If Mr Fraser has ever made a study of moral philosophy he will find a tenet thai; truth and consistency at all times go together — • one cannot exist without the other ; and as Mr Fraser does not scruple in accusing other people of being untruthful, perhaps a short retrospect; of Mr Fraser's political career would serve to show what sort of position he may aspire to hold among politicians. At his campaign in 1881, epeaking at Alexandra, he stated that he supported State aid to Catholic schools ; still in 1893 he travelled through the Lake district as a staunch supporter of the present education system, and seemingly forgot; to make mention of his previous escapade ia the direction of denominationalism until coming; to Cromwell, when, seeing that the fact had leaked out, he made a lame explanation, saying he had supported a grant to Catholic schools under certaia conditions that he had afterwards found unsuitable. Will Mr Fraser ever forget what followed P Mr M'Cracken insisted that at Alexandra Mr Fraser had made an unqualified statement. Mr Fraser said it was false. Mr M'Cracken produced files of the Cromwell Argus in support of what he said. Mr Fraser said newspaper reports were not; reliable, when, O tempora, O mores, it was shown that Mr Fraser had furnished the report himself.

If Mr Fraser had spoken like this, "In the past I have just been lukewarm about tho Otago Central railway ; but now my conditions are altered, and I shall honestly do my best for you," he would have bsen candid, and would have earned the support of myself and many more ; but as he tries to patch up the somewhat tattered garment of his political consistency at other people's expense, I fear his career will be shorn of its glory. ' After what ha-j transpired, I shall not express astonishment at whatever colour Mr Fras^r's chameleon instincts may cause him to assume, and I shall make no remark so long as he does not accuse olher people of the weakness that he himself seems to have inherited. — I am, &c, Lowburn, June 16. J*ro: Webner.