THE PREMIER AT NAPIER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1624, 1 August 1887, Page 3

THE PREMIER AT NAPIER.

. . Napibßj July 31. Sir Robert Stont addressed a public meeting In the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday night. The buUding was orowded, Mid Sir Robert was received very enthusiastically. He claimed that the policy of ibe Government was retrenchment and the thjtee f'DV— distribution of property, to prevent Us aooumulatlng m a few bands; distribution of land, to prevent it remaining with the large holders, and diffusion of education. He said the policy of the Opposition was one to import gaffir labor to reduce wages, pd m ■raising the revenue to tax the incomes of working people, and to tax through the Custom** what the working classes consumed, knocking off taxation upon such things as silks, satins, laces, etc,, only used by wealthy poopie. In support of his contention as to wages, be «ald that ten days ago, on either Tuesday or Wednesday before he left for Auckland, the " New Zealand Times " stated that no working man ought to be paid more than five shillings or six shillings a day, whether for skilled or unskilled labor. Tqln was greeted with cries of M Produce the paper,'! " Bead the statement,'.' and to on ; bat Sir Robert referred his hearers to the files of the papers at the Athensaum. The conclusion- of tho epeeob was an eloquent and masterly appeal m favor of education primary and secondary, which was received with thunders of applause. A vote of confidence m the Government was carried, there being no opposition.