MR BOWEN AT BANGIORA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2080, 23 October 1880, Page 3

MR BOWEN AT BANGIORA.

On Thursday evening Mr Bowen reviewed the political events of last session of Parliament and the conduct of the Ministry of the day, before a large audience of his constituents in the Literary Institute Hall. The chair was taken by Mr H, Blackett, Mayor. After Mr Bowen’s address, which was closely listened to and frequently applauded, he answered a number of questions. To Mr B. Ellis, he replied that the salary of the Governor of this colony was fixed by arrangement with the Imperial Government, and could not be altered till a change in the' Governorship took place. The colony had hitherto by the salary offered insured the appointment of first class governors ; but if it was decided to reduce the salary, they must expect to have a gentleman of a lower rank filling that appointment. Any reduction could not take effect till the next appointment was made, however favorable he may be to see that expenditure somewhat lessened. He had, and should always hold that every man was entitled to a vote in each district within which he possessed a proper qualification, and could not agree with Mr Montgomery’s idea of one man one vote. He approved of the setting aside reserves for promotion of secondary education. The secondary schools to be open to parents who could afford the fees, and to the meritorious from the primary schools through the medium of scholarships. In reply to Mr P. Busch, Mr Bowen said that he did not approve of withholding the honorarium from members of the Legislative Council. It was a mistake to pitchfork men into that Chamber for their wealth. Those who had rendered exemplary services in the country ought to receive the nomination to the Council, and there were some of its members who were sufficiently painstaking to carefully revise the measures as put before it, while if they did not give proper time and care to their duties the Bills would oftentimes be sent out in a very unsatisfactory state. Replying to a further query by Mr H. Boyd, Mr Bowen said the Government of which he was a member, so far considered that the appointments to the Oounoil should only be made in the case of painstaking men and those who had rendered a service to the country. That they abstained from making any nominations beyond that of Sir F. Dillon Bell, who on his retirement from the speakership of the Lower House was entitled to that mark of distinction, as well as by having proved himself a really useful member. In reply to Mr J. Pulton, Mr Bowen said he had not only had distinct promises of a cattle landing platform at the station, but had heard the order for the same given by the Public Works Minister. Why these orders had not been carried out he intended to make it his business to find out, and it would not bo his fault if the yards were not erected os quickly as possible. In reply to Mr Boyd, he said that he approved of the reduction in some instances of the Civil Service pension list, but there were cases in which the pensions bad been well earned. The Act under which the pensions were made had been repealed. Mr Ellis at this stage submitted a motion for a vote of thanks and expression of continued confidence in Mr Bowen as representative of that district in the Assembly. He differed with their representative in some things; he was, in fact, hardly democratic enough for him—[laughter],—but haying

watched Mr Bowen’a career for three-and-twenty years, he must say that he looked on him as an honest man, and when he spoke they could believe what ho said. [Cheers.] Some of the representatives, he was sorry to say, told their constituents one thing and did another. Mr Bowen was not a great talker in the Hoase, and for this also might be commended, in not causing the waste of pnulio time which was consumed in every session to no purpose. Ho had looked about for another man to represent them, but ho must say that he could not find one to agree with his viowa in every respect. For instance, he held strong opinions on the question of voting. A man with a dozen children, he held, who had one vote, ought not to be overmatched by another who might be a lone man, but whose property in different districts gave him a preponderance of weight in the elections. He pointed out'that during the canvass Mr Bowen announced his intention to vote for the property tax, and he acted up to his promises. [Cheers.] Mr H. Boyd seconded, stating that in the address of the evening many matters had been satisfactorily explained. The motion was declared to be carried almost unanimously. Mr Bowen expressed his gratification at the happy relations which existed between the electors and himself, and at the way Mr Fills | had put matters, as he would be considered a very poor creature who could satisfy everyone. [Laughter.] Mr Ellis was also right in saying he would wish to support anyone who would be an echo of his opinions. [Eenewed laughter.] In fact, it would be quite a luxury for an elector to have a member all of his own way of thinking. [Cheers.] Such a man would hardly bo a man of the people, and in some instances the so-called man of the people was not a bit more a man of the people than he was. [Loud applause.] A vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the proceedings.