HON C. C. BOWEN AT RANGIORA.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 2927, 7 January 1875, Page 2

HON C. C. BOWEN AT RANGIORA.

The Hon C. C. Bowpd addressed the electors at the Literary Institute, Rangiora, on Tuesday evening, the hall was filled. Mr Blackett occupied the chair. After his speech Mr Bowen replied to a number of qnestions put by Captain Parsons, Messrs Higgina, Ellis, E. R. Good, A. H. Cunningham, J. C. Boys, H Boyd, and others, explaining how the colonial loans were raised and to be met; the relations of the provinces in respect to the compact of 1856; the necessity for a simplified system of government with municipalities or district boards to administer local affairs; the necessity for defining boundaries of electoral, municipal, educational, and other districts, so that they should not. as at present, overlap; was in favor of the piosecution of the work of construction of the trunk line of railway;, he j did not consider ifc to be the fashion with ; politicians to urge the confederation of the German States, formation of the Dominion of Canada, or abolition of New Zealand provinces from a desire for change, but as a question of expediency, supported by many of the conservatives as an advantageous system rendered workable by the facilities which electricity and steam affVrded fer communication from the heart to the limbs of these several countries; he could not see that Canterbury would lose anything by this policy so long as local affairs were under local management. Absenteeism was a social not a political question, and arose from the desire to be near the court; but as in America, where there was no court, there the capital, Washington, was only the resort of political parties, and this province would always possess attractions beyond others in the colony; its educational system, to wit, ] being a greater attraction thau Wellington j could hold out. He would support a carefully considered plan tor rendering the registration of electors simple and more convenient than that now existing. Although at one time there had been chaffing about a border war between Canterbury and Otago, he now felfc very confident that all the Southern representatives in the General Assembly would pull together to secure their local interests.

Captain Parsons —Is not Mr Vogel the Government ? [Laughter.] Mr Bowen—lf I thought that for one moment I should have nothing to do with it. [Loud cheering.] Captain Parsons—lt is said Mr Vogel gets them ail round his fingers. [Renewed laughter.]

Mr Bowen—l will say this. Mr Vogel, my colleague, is a man who has done a great service for this country [loud cheers], but with regard to the idea that one man conducts the Government of the 'colony, if I thought such was the case, I should not remain one day a member of the Governmeat* [Loader cheers.] Iα answer to for-

ther questions. .Mr Kowen said the province would bo less likely to lose its laud fund untli;r the mw system, they would be ablo to localise it more safely. Proyincialists iv.the North had been the greatest enemies and loudest in clamoring for the South revenue. While t>cariiiK v stimony to the way in which provincial matters had beer, managed in the pr.-vince, he could not but regret to notice the expense of the establishment nnd the necessity for two staffs of officials—the general and provincial—when the latter ought to be better utilized in the work of the former, aiid any antagouism between the two done away with. The question of lowering the Customs duties must depeud on the amount of revenue required to be raised and the duties could not well be reduced till some other means was provided for meeting the interest on the debt and sinking fund ; for instance, by returns from a trunk line of railway, which was so essentially necessary, as well as by developing themiueml resources which had hitherto simply been scratched, but if worked he was credibly informed would produce a vast wealth in the colony. Increasing population and promotioo of reproductive public works roust also tend to reduce taxation. It was quite a question whether taxes could not be levied in a more satisfactory way than by duties on commerce. The Government had no inteution of raising new taxes, nor an income tax, during the existence of the present Parliament. The principal portion of the immigrants brought out were British Mibjects, but some of their most valuable settlers were Germans. He gave the preference to immigrants of British origin. In reference to the distilleries, Parliament last session had decided to withdraw the privileges granted to them. An Elector—Should Sullivan come here, would you, Sir, as Minister of Justice, have him huug straight away ? and cheers. J Mr Bowen—lt would be quite as fair to ask mc, as Minister of Justice, such a question, as if I were to ask my friend on a moment's notice if he would like to accept the office of hangman. of laughter and cheers J Mr J. C. Boys proposed " That the thanks of the meeting were due to the Hon C. C. Bowen for the clear and lucid way in which he had explained his views, and desires to express the fullest confidence in him as a candidate for tlie representation of the district." Mr R. L. Higgine tersely seconded the motion, which was carried without a dissentient. A vote of thanks to the chairman ended the meeting. Three cheers were given for Mr Bowen, and the chorus "For he's a jolly good fellow" taken up heartily as the public were leaving the hall. •> v 6