HON C. C. BOWEN AT RANGIORA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 181, 7 January 1875, Page 2

HON C. C. BOWEN AT RANGIORA.

The Hon C. C. Bowen 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 questions put by Captain Parsons, Messrs Higgins, Ellis, B. 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 prosecution of the work of construction of the trunk line of railway; he did not consider it 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 afforded for 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 than Wellington 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 felt very confident that all the Southern representatives in the General Assembly would pull together to secure their local interests. Captain Parsons—ls 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 all 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 Government. [Louder cheers.] In answer to further questions, Mr Bowen said the province would be less likely to lose its land fund under the new system, they would be able to localise it more safely. Pronncialists in the North had been the greatest enemies and loudest in clamoring for the South revenue. While bearing testimony to the way in which

provincial matters had been managed in the province, he could not but regret to notice the expense of the establishment and 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, and any antagonism between the two done away with. The question of lowering the Customs duties must depend 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 the mineral 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 promotion of reproductive public works must 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 intention 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 subjects, 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 hung straight away ? [Laughter and cheers. J Mr Bowen—lt would be quite as fair to ask me, 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. [Roars of laughter and cheers] 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 the representation of the district.” Mr R. L. Higgins 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 ball.