Peter Fraser
Peter Fraser- A Famous Scottish Born New Zealand Politician
Peter Fraser (1884 - 1951) A native of Fearn in Ross-shire, Fraser became an active Socialist in London before emigrating to New Zealand in 1910. As a waterside worker he there resumed his political waork and represented Wellington in the House of Representatives from 1918 onwards, as well as making a name for himself in the local government of his adopted city. By 1935 he had become sufficiently well known to represent his country at a conference of the empire Parliamentary Association, and the same year saw his appointment as minister for education, health, police, and the navy. Five yearslater,in the darkest period of the Second World War, he exchanged these responsibilities for those of Prime Minister, holding office until his defeat in the electio of 1949. Fraser had to maintain and increase New Zealand's war effort. He supported Britain closely and also helped to keep up the morale of the New Zealand troops by visiting contingents all over the world. A slender majority after the election of 1946 curbed the party's Socialist programme. Apart from the introduction of state insurance for workmen's compensation, the most notable achievement of this period of office was the financial encouragement given to Britain in the immediate post-war years, following the Wellington Conference of 1947.
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