KAIAPOI ELECTION.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 184, 11 January 1875, Page 3

KAIAPOI ELECTION.

Mr Beswick met several of the electors at Eyreton district school on Wednesday evening, Mr Moffatt occupying the chair. After his address a vote of confidence, proposed by Mr Denton, was carried, the chairman observing that the electors of that portion of the district were unanimously in favor of Mr Beswick. Hon C. C. Bowen met the electors at Eyreton district school on Friday evening. Thirty-five were present. Mr J. Moffatt was voted to the chair. After Mr Bowen had delivered his address, he answered questions put by Messrs Dixon, Denton, Chilton, and others to their satisfaction. Mr Dixon then moved a vote of confidence, remarking that after hearing Mr Bowen's clear and straightforward views aad policy, he considered the electors would only be doing their duty by returning him as their member. Mr Bowen's treatment of the land question in New Zealand was sufficient to make him (Mr Dixon) decide upon oupporting his election. The motion was seconded by Mr Denton, and carried on a show of hands, one elector voting against it. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

Mr Beswick met the electors afc Woodend district school on Friday evening. Fiftyfive persons were present, including thirteen from Eaiapoi. On the motion of Mr Isaac WHsod, Mr B. J. Pateman presided. Daring his speech Mr Beswick said he was not opposing Mr Bowen. Mr Bowen was opposing him, as it was known by those who brought Mr Bowen forward that he (Mr Beswick) intended to be a candidate. When the provinces were abolished he wanted to know what was intended to be put in their place, and referred to the success of the

Canterbury Provincial establishment, the excellent police force, and admirable system of education, wlii-h latter he considered would never have !,eca created under a central Government. He was averse to the abolition of provinces, but could not shut hia eyea to tile fac' that when the rime came that they niustdofVnd their land found, and was not such a narrow provinciali3t as to think that then some change would not be necessary. He expected the public works pnlicy to work out straight. If elected he would be independent of all parties. This could not be with Mr Bowen, who had gone into Mr Voxel's boat, and must sail whither it went. He shared with Mr Bowen's friends that a Minister of Justice —analagous to Lord Chancellor—would be more in his element in the Upper House. He gave credit to Mr Vogel for having selected Mr Kennaway to accompany him on his mission to England, and Mr Vogel's errand, to float the four million loan, as well as to inquire in the conduct of Dr Featherstone in reference to the manner in which he had conducted the Immigration Department, would be productive of good results. In reply to Mr Horrell, he said he did not know who carried on the Government during Mr Vogel's absence. The under-secretaries would carry out the detail work. Mr Bailey trusted Mr Beswick would not make such a fool of them as last time. In reply to the chairman, he said the North Island provinces had little or no land fund. The land for the most part which was not settled upon was still iu the hands of the natives. In regard to paying the interest on the £20,000,000 debt, the colony was all equally interested. With regard to the land regulations, those of Canterbury were the best, and Mr Vogel, quoting from his (Mr Beswick's) financial statement, noticed the fact that while the land was higher iu price more people in proportion were settled upon it than in any other province. In reply to Mr Conway, he said under present circumstances he-would not join the Government. Mr Bailey here wanted to know if he was going in for the colony or himself, and thought that would bother him to decide. „In vi-pl? to Mr Isaac Wilson, he said he should oppose change in the government of the Middle Island, without referring the question to the electors; and if the question came on for discussion in Parliament' he would telegraph to his committees. In reply to Mr S. Ayres, who considered that the North Island provinces were going in for many loans, and some means should be devised to prevent such loans being guaranteed by the colony, he said the administration of the North Island must be carried on by either the Provincial or General Governments, and either would find it necessary to raise these loans. Mr Bailey wanted to know what he would do with Sullivan ? Mr Beswick thought he would give him a lot of colonial bear, as he would serve Mr Bailey. In reply to Mr Horrell, he said after the railway was opened, causing the discontinuance of the coaches, he would point out the necessity for mail communication with Woodend, as he did in the case of Kaiapoi letter carrier. Mr Bailey, who seemed irrepressible, now wished to know what Marshman was doing, if he w«b still in the world, as the railway was getting head over heels in debt. Mr Horrell thought the immigrants were wanted in hand over fist to help to carry on harvest; The Chairman suggested that the Maoris should not be entitled to vote for a European member, unless Europeans were allowed to vote for a Maori member. Mr Beswick was of opinion that if the Maoris were permitted to vote for European members they might be placed on the same footing in regard to rates and so forth. The election of Maori members had not been without good results in allaying the prejudices of the natives to their being represented by a European member. As the present Maori members usually voted two on each side of the division list, no harm waß done by their presence in the Assembly. Mr Bailey, not to be suppressed by failing to get answers to his questions, now wanted to be informed if it was fair to immigrate a a man his wife and five or six young'uns and offer him only five shillings a day, but elicited no reply. Mr Isaac Wilson proposed a vote of thanks and confidence, in doing so added that Mr Bowen did not answer his questions "so satisfactorily that Mr Wilson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Bowen" at Woodend, as reported in the Press. Mr Bowen did not answer the questions to his satisfaction, but as he had nothing to say against Mr Bowen, except differing with his politics with respect to the p/ovinces, he proposed the vote. Mr John Stokes had great pleasure in seconding this motion, observing that if Mr Wilson had nothing to say against Mr Bowen he had nothing to say in his favor. Ihe Chairman having asked if there was any amendment, said they would signify their approval by acclamation, which was done, one or two dissenting.