THE PREMIER FREEIY CRITICISED.

Evening Star, Issue 7280, 3 August 1887, Page 2

THE PREMIER FREEIY CRITICISED.

[Special to the Star.J

WELLINGTON, August 3. The ' Post' criticises Sir B. Stout's speech of last night very unfavorably. It says that it was the manner rather than the matter which elicited the applause, and it doubts whether all that the Premier said last .night had the effect of converting any of his hearers from the error of their ways, where their previous opinions were not in. accord with his. The speeoh. indeed, was not by any means a cldsely a well thought-out, or a convincing one. Its"' arguments and statements will not bear analysis Cor close examination. Sir Robert Stout assumed that what he was going to say would rifford pabulum fdr the newspapers for two or three weeks. He is entirely mistaken. There was very little worth criticising 01 replying to in it, and absolutely nothing which was new. It was not a speech worthy of the speaker as the head of the Government at' such a crisis in the history of the Colony. There was no statesmanship in it from beginning to end, and no suggestion as to how tbe difficulties of the present situation are to be overcome and the prevailing depression relieved. The article defends the Wellington papers from the Premier's attacks, because they, with singular unanimity, fail to reoognise a political saviour or a great statesman in Sir Robert Stout. This may be ail error of judgment or bad tasto on their part, but the 'Poßt' thinks the Premier erred still more iu both respects by his manner of resenting tho foot. It ooyo that all his word-making and special pleading failed to substantiate the-truth of his charge made at Napier against the ' New Zealand Times' as to reducing wages. With regard to local jealousies, the 'Post' says the "Wellington ' Press' acts on the defensive, not the offensive, towards Auckland and Otago, and attributes Sir Robert's remarks to his own narrow Otago localism. With regard to the adjustment of Civil Service salaries by the cost of living, the article advises the Premier to go a step further, and arrango for the Government "boarding out" all its officers and their families, and clothing them by contract. All thoy would require beyond this would bo a small fixed allowance by way of pockot-monoy. The Government would then bo able to get the Civil sorvants and their families maintained at the lowest market price. His views on taxation and Protection are declared not to bo supported by fa its, and with regard to education, it says that _" stern necessity will compel a reduction in the educational expenditure, whether Sir R. Stout reniains in office or not. If ho will not apply the pruning knifo with a tender, loving hand, tho instrument will have to be raised by some firmer and perhaps less sympathetic oporator. Taken as A whole, we may say that wo do not think Sir Robert Stout's speech last night will strengthen the hands of the Government, or add to his own political reputation."