The Premier's manifesto. (BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, this day.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 207, 18 June 1887, Page 1

The Premier's manifesto. (BY TELEGRAPH— OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, this day.

Tim Premier, in again offering his services to the electors of Dunedin East, has issued a manifesto in which he Lays down the principal planks of his platform. Tho&o are:-(l) Retrenchment) in tlie public service ; (2) any additional taxation that may be necessary to be so arranged as not to increase the burdens of persons of .small means ; (3) any increase of custom-, duties to be so imposed so as to assist local industries ; (4) continuance of the present land settlement scheme ; (.*>) the strengthening of local government by the decentralisation of all possible Government functions ; (G) the maintenance, at all hazards, of the present educational system. If Mini&cors carry out their expressed intentions of stumping the country on the subject of Protection, a party of Oppositionists, headed by Mr Scobie MeKenzio and Mr Rolleston, will follow close on their heels to submit free trade arguments. Providing to elaborate his policy Sir Robert Stout says:— lam adverse to any scheme that would tin ow the representation, of the people into the hands of fie few, of the wealthy ; and unduly reducing the members of the House of Representatives would do so. I believe retrenchment in our Legislature can be effected, but this can be earned out without interfering with the number of tho members of Parliament. Were the numbers reduced, several outlying or thinly peopled distiicts would be practically unrepresented. Even now <-ome districts are too large. It is passing strange that many of those who increased the number of membeis in 1881, when the population of th colony was 490,000, should now advocate reduction of membe rs v. hen we lm c 505,00 people. What the present Ministry has done for the colony by its legislative measures and administrative acts 1 hlvAl detail to you when I address you. 1 may just add that our aim has been to frame truly Liberal and demociaticlaws, and to carefully, prudently, and economically administer the affairs of the State. We have succeeded in many respects, and in the face of a strong Opposition party in both Houses. We have effected large savings in the public expenses, and more families have been placed on the laud by us than by any previous administration. With the hearty assistance and co-operation of the Liberals in tho colony we can do much more. It remains for you, and the other constituencies of this colony, to say whether this is to be permitted, or whether the legislation and admiration of the colony are to be handed over to a party that has denounced our attempted savings in the Civil Service, repudiated our effort to relieve the lesswealthy from the property tax, refused to aid the local industiicb of the colony, attempted to burk our village settlement scheme, aud whilst in power neglected necessary public works in many districts. Thanking you for all you have done forme in the past, and for your many kindnesses, believe me to be, gentlemen, yours obedient servant, Robert Stout.