The Oamaru Mail. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 21 October 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1880.

Mr. 0, C. Bowex, tlie member for Kaiapoi, has addressed liis constituents. From tlie circumstance tha.t the attendance was small, we conclude that his constituents evinced no interest in the event. There was no necessity for them to go to the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, to ascertain what are the political views of their member. He is, and always has been, a steadfast supporter of the partv now in power. To him party is of more consequence than administration. His party are tlie ££ elect," and it is impossible for them to fall into sin. In the Honse he is their chief advocate, and never fails to come to their rescue when they are attacked. He is a thorough orthodox partisan, and eminently resectable and respected as a man. although not as a politician. It is nothing short of high treason for a young member to utter a svllable deprecatory of the Government, anil such conduct affords him ! an opportunity of swearing fealty, which he has never been known to miss. He is the apostle of- UltraX'onseri vatism. Consideration for anything or anybody that does not come within his creed is with him impossible. He worships with such blind adoration that lie is not capable of offering an unbiassed opinion upon any question political. When, therefore, he told his audience that there was an absence of psivty feeling, he treated them to a platitude that, although valueless to them, was quite consistent with tlie professions and conduct 01 himself and party. He ventured to account for the delightful harmony which he said existed between parties to the necessity for the retrenchment policy of the Government. He did not attribute it to the expenditure on the West Coast of the jSforth Island in maintaining what is called a defence force. Perhaps it is as well for himself and party that he did not. Too much authentic information would not onlv not assist his cause, but it would damn it. Nor did he poinj; liis hearers to the Estimates for evidence; of equitable dealing with all parts of the Colony, or to the reductions which are now being made, for evidences of the even-handed justice which he appears to think is, if .mything, a too prominent feature in hjs administrative beau ideal. Report sa-itli not what effect an expression of his belief in the honesty of the Government had upon his audience. The telegram before us is but an outline of Mr. Bowen's utterances, and we can. forgive the reporter for having omitted to inform us of the silynt or viva voce dissension of his audience. We have little doubt that they looked at each other in blank amazement, and only abstained from more practical demonstrations of their disapproval because of the respect in which they hold their member. His stale cry that the late Government had left a deficit of aver a million is, we suppose, a pardonible piece of political gag, and, in the ibsence of an impeachment more truthful and damaging, may be yiewed as tiie only excuse available to Mr. Bowen for his thick-and-thin support of the [government.