THE KAIAPOI ELECTION.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 162, 11 December 1874, Page 2

THE KAIAPOI ELECTION.

On Thursday, the Hon Mr Bowen visited Kaiapoi and Rangiora for the purpose of making arrangements to secure his return for the electoral district of Kaiapoi in the General Assembly. , At Rangiora Mr Bowen was met by a number of his supporters, who, after warmly receiving him, adjourned to Sinclair's Hotel, where a meeting was held ; Mr Blackett in the chair, In reply to questions, Mr Bowen stated that in his opinion the time has arrived when the provincial system in a large part of the colony had become an obstruction rather than a help to local government. He thought that no economy was possible while the Colonial Treasurer was looked to to find funds for these provinces that had no revenue of their own. The provincial question had little to do with that of localising the expenditure of the land revenue, which in his opinion, was an object which should be secured. It was a fact worth remembering that the provincialist3 in the North'lsland were those who were must inclined to claim the Southern land revenue. He did not see any necessity for the immediate abolition of provinces like Canterbury and Otago while they had revenue of their own which was well administered, for it was not always a good policy, he thought, to insist on a logical completion of constitutional reforms. The change, however, must come, sooner or later, but the time for such a change must depend upon circumstances, which cannot be calculated on beiorehand. The main thing to be secured was the local administration of local affairs, and local revenue, and the land revenue should be expended in opening up and peopling the country from which it was derived. f Applause.] On the motion of Mr Riskman. seconded by Mr Boys, it was resolved—" That those present form themselves into a committee, with power to add to their number, for the purpose of securing Mr Bowen's return." Mr H. Blackett is chairman and Mr J. Johnston secretary of the committee. At Kaiapoi a committee has also been formed, of which the Mayor is chairman. A requisition to Mr J. Beswick, asking him to become a candidate, was yesterday signed by sixty persons.