AUSTRALIAN CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 132, 17 March 1931, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CRISIS

LABOUR CONFERENCE POLICY. CAPITAL LEVY ADVOCATED. RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT. I (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Dav, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Proposals for the further relief of unemployment have been submitted by a special committee to the Labour Conference. These provide for a capital levy and (or) a steeply-graded super-tax on higher incomes, the conduct of a State lottery, bond, loans and advertising tax, the present relief tax of a shilling in the pound on wages to be ultimately converted into an unemployment insurance fund. The committee condemned the failure of the Federal Government Jo evolve measures to cope with the financial crisis and protect the workers' standard of living. The proposals did not go far enough for many delegates, and were referred back to the committee.

The miners' delegates opposed all the reports, submitting an amendment for an extended scale of relief up to 92s Od fortnightly. One speaker declared that the miners were preparing to leave the Australian Labour Party. They could not endure much longer the pittance received from the present Labour Government. "If a plate-glass window is all that stops them, that glass is going," said one speaker'. AN ALLEGATION DENIED. NOT ATTACKING THE WORKERS. .. ■••■' (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Mr Abbott (organising secretary to the Producers' Advisory Council) denies the statement made at the Labour Conference that recently-formed organisations contemplate revolutionary tactics. From the beginning they stressed adherence to constitutional methods. They are not attacking the workers, but are in reality fighting their battles. MR LANG'S POLICY. ATTACK OPENED BY MR BAVIN. SYDNEY, March 10. At Parker, to-night Mr T. R. Ravin (Leader of the State Opposition) addressed the first meeting in connection With his campaign throughout the State to protest against the present policy of the Lang Government. He said financial chaos was inevitable by the end of the financial year if the Government's plans were carried out. The Government was following a course which involved a breach of the law, and was asking the King's representative to acquiesce in, and make himself a party to, that breach. Mr Lang's policy could not be carried out without open and unquestionable illegality., patricularly in connection with the financial agreement. The people were entitled to ask the Governor to use whatever constitutional powers he possessed either to prevent this policy being carried into effect, or else, if that could not 'be done, to secure an appeal to the people. \ petition to the Governor on these lines had been drafted, and Mr Bavin urged the electors in every part of the State to sign it.

MR THEODORE'S ATTITUDE. THE QUESTION OF EXPULSION. (Received This Day. 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. p Mr E. G. Theodore denies that his visit to Brisbane is concerned with a search for a Federal seat, owing to the New i South Wales State Labour Organisation opposing his endorsement for Dalley. The Treasurer, while saying he was not seeking a, Queensland seat, declined to discuss his future plans. He declared that the State Party had no power to expel him from the Labour movement. "Neither the State Executive nor any other New South Wales body has power to expel me from the Labour movement," said Mr E. G. Theodore. "The supreme authority in this matter is the Federal Labour Committee." Declaring it illegal and unconstitutional (the Government Whip) in the Senate, Mr W. F. Dunn, declared that the Federal Government should suppress the All-for-Australia League. Tt was a distinct menace, he said, to the law, order, and good government of Australia.

UPPER HOUSE ABOLITION. CASE FOR THE PRIVY COUNCIL. MELBOURNE, March 16. The appeal of tho New South Wales Government on the Upper House abolition, which was disallowed by the Federal High Court, was against the decision of the New South Wales Supreme Court, which sustained the validity of the Bavin Government's amendment to the Constitution requiring a referendum to he taken before Bills for the abolition of the Upper House were presentable for the Royal Assent. The submission.'-! on behalf of the Lang Ministry were to the effect that no Parliament possessed the power to bind a succeeding Parliament. The State Cabinet has decided to appeal to the Privy Council against the decision of the High Court in the Legislative Council case, and Sir John Simon has been briefed to conduct the Government's case.

APPEAL UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED. ATTITUDE OF PRIVY COUNCIL. (Received This Day, 12.3*5 7>.m.) LOMIiON. Match 10. The opinion is expressed here that if Mr Lang takes the Upper lions;' case to the Privy Council he is not likely to succeed. According to one authority the

Privy Council is very reluctant to interfere with any High Court judgment on constitutional questions. it is considered that if this action is taken in regard to t.he Commonwealth Constitution it will be even more improbable that any appeal from a decision concerning one State is likely to impress the Privy Coitnoil. SECEDED FROM LABOUR. MELBOURNE, March 16. The Chairman of Committees in the House of Representatives, Mr D. C MeGrath, announces that he has left the Labour Party and thrown in his let with. Mr Lyons. He adds that Ko has no intention of resigning his post of Chairman of Committees. * _____ A NEW START WANTID. MELBOURNE, March 16. Sound Government by responsible men, the repeal of more than half the legislation on the Statute books, and the relegation to the background of those who have done so much to bring about the deplorable conditions from which Australia is suffering today were laid down by the delegates to the Chambers of Commerce conference as the only means of regaining the past prosperity. The Governor (Lord Somers), in opening the conference, said a definite lead and a, definite policy were the urgent needs of the community. In his opinion business had been hopelessly mixed with legislation. It would be a good thing if all the Acts passed by the Governments in the past 20 years ago were burnt and) a fresh start made. The President, (Mr J. Paxton), attacked the incompetency of Australians present Government. It was a lasting disgrace that the acting-Prime Minister at the time of Sir Otto Neimeyer's visit had not the manhood or the sense of fair pla.vi to make an official statement regarding the true facts of Sir Otto's visit until after he had left the country.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S ECONOMIES. RETIREMENT OF MINISTERS. PERTH, March 16. The Minister for Lands (the Hon. C. G. Latham) said the State Government's economy dans would include the retirement of two Ministers. TO PAY INCOME TAX. FEDERAL OFFICERS AT HOME. I (Received This Dav, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 16. # Federal civil servants at Australia House whose life for the last six months has been full of doubts and fears, received another shock to-day when they were required to complete their income tax returns. Hitherto they had not paid the Australian tax nor, under a reciprocal agreement, British income tax. They claim that they were given either a. signed or an implied undertaking that they would not be liable to a tax. INTEREST ON OVERSEAS LOANS. COMPARISON OF THE RATES. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, March 16. In connection with statements by Mr Lang attacking the allegedly usurious rates of overseas interest, Australian Press Association obtained figures of Australia's indebtedness, showing that the average interest on Federal and State borrowings in Australia is £5 5s 3d per cent., in New York £5 0s 9d, and" in London £4 15s 9d.