DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14360, 11 May 1920, Page 4

DAY BY DAY.

The action of Mr Peter Fraser, a member of ihe House of Representatives and a Wellington City Councillor in refusing to tubscribe to the municipality’s address of welcome to the Prince of Wales, has not unnaturally aroused considerable comment, much of it of an adverse nature. A returned soldier, Mr F. L. Fox, has addressed a letter to the M.P. advising him that if this were the age of chivalry he would call him out on the ■field of honour, but as that method of dealing with the matter is out of the question, lie challenges him to resign his seat and re-contest it with the writer. Mr Fraser has not accepted the challenge, though we admit we should rejoice to see him do so, for an election contested on the issue raised would be an interesting event and would also serve to settle a much discussed question. Mr Fraser’s constituency is a workers’ stronghold, and it is pointedly inferred in some quarters that the trend of mind "“of the workers as a body is in the direction indicated hy Mn Fraser’s abstention from participating in 11m welcome extended to the Heir Apparent, and that Ihercfore Mr Fraser truly represents Ihe feeling of his constituents. We caunot bring our-

Mr Fraser, M.P. / and The Prince.

selves to think that he does, and would much like to see the mailer definitely .tested. Mr M-assey, in referring to Wellington's enthusiastic reception to His Royal Highness, expressed the opinion that it put Auckland's display in the shade, and we know how hearty and spontaneous that was. All sections of the people literally let themselves go, and none was more demonstrative than (hose who win their broad by the straining of muscle ami Ihe sweat of brow. It would have been a difficult matter to find an anti-dynasty man in 4ho streets of Auckland on those memorable days. The same scenes have "been enacted in Wellington, and we make bold to say that Mr Fraser's constituents were as enthusiastic as any. That being so, they will feel chagrined and-placed in a falso posilon by the Attitude adopted by their representative, it nd would no doubt welcome an opportunity to put themselves right in the eyes of their fellows on the important question of fealty to the British constitution. The Prince of Wales is here as the representative of the British Royal House, and therefore any slight offered to him must be regarded as a slight to the King in person. What greater slight could be offered than a pointed indication that foe was not welcome to any part of hi-s Empire? This i 6 the logical meaning conveyed by Mr Peter Fraser's conduct. Were Mr Peter Fraser a private individual, his action would 'have no public significance, but as a M.P. for an important constituency, his views are regarded as the reflex of the opinion of those he claims to represent. If he is satisfied that he does represent the sentiments of his constituents matter, Mr Fox's challenge afforded him an opportunity to prove it, but he is not willing to avail himself of it. He may regard this as a small matter, but the majority of the people of the Dominion do not view it in that light.