AUSTRALIA'S CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 133, 18 March 1931, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S CRISIS

SUPPORT FOR MR LANG. SYDNEY LABOUR CONFERENCE. REJECTION OF SOCIALISATION. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Metropolitan Labour Conference rejected every proposal submitted for the relief of 'unemployment. A recommendation for the socialisation of all industries was defeated by 01 votes to 57, the decision being regarded as a vote of confidence in the Lang Government, with which the problem was left for the present. Mr Lang announces that £1,000,000 will be advanced from the relief fund, enabling 10,000 men to be absorbed on public works.

EVILS OF THE DOLE SYSTEM. COST OF £3,000,000 TO STATE. (Received This Dav, 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Addressing local body delegates at Wollongong, the Minister of Education (Mr Davies) said the dole system was costing £3,000',000 per annum. The system was responsible for many impositions, whereby recipients obtained double rations. The money ought to be spent in providing work for the unemployed.

RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS. MR LANG'S INTEREST BILL. • SYDNEY, March 17. Introducing the Interest Bill in the Legislative Assembly, Mr J. T. Lang said they were confronted with the inevitable—repudiation. The different Governments of Australia must realise that it was their duty to formulate proposals which would avoid national bankruptcy. The Bill, said the Premier,- was one of a number, and formed a, part oi a proposal to reconstruct the affairs ot the State and to deal with the present situation in New South Wales.

PROVISIONS OF THE BILL. THE FIRST READING CARRIED. (Received This Dav, 9.23 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Explaining the Interest Reduction Bill, Mr Lang said it fixed the rates for private borrowing at 5 per cent, on first mortgage," 6 per cent for second or subsequent mortgages, and 5 per cent, on hire-purchase goods or land buying on the instalment system. Deposit rates are: Call money \\ per cent., three months 2}, one to two years 2£.

The Bill does not apply to agreements covering payment of interest outside the State to other than a resident of New South Wales. Agreements and obligations entered into with the Crown or the State Savings Bank are also exempt. Mr Stevens said lie. feared the Bill would destroy the existing system of finance and would dissipate the little confidence remaining in industry. Mr Booth (Labour), supporting the measure, attacked the Legislative Council, which, he said, was determined to defeat the Bill at all costs. "We take up the challenge," he said, "and will fight with every ounce of the energy we possess. If the Opposition members try to meet the position with armed force, wo will meet them with armed force and beat them." The Speaker intervened, calling Mr Booth to order. , The Bill was read the first time, the second reading being fixed for to-day.

ARBITRATION BILL ATTACKED. PROTEST BY MANUFACTURERS. SYDNEY, March 17. At a crowded meeting in Adyar Hail to protest against Mr Lang's Arbitration Bill, Mr J. C. Watson, a former Labour Prime Minister,* described the measure as a delusion, a deceit, and a fraud. Mr Watson referred to Mr Justice Paddington ns a theorist, lacking in the practical qualifications necessary for the control of industry. The' meeting, which was held under the auspices of the Chamber of Manufacturers, protested against the Bill because it deprived manufacturers and employers of the management and control of their businesses, and would seriouslv interfere with the carrying on and development of existing industries, would prevent the establishment of new cues, would drive trade from the State ,and would spriously increase unemployment.

A MOTION TALKED OUT. OPPOSITION SEEKS ADJOURNMENT. CANBERRA, March 17. When the Federal House resumed after a brief adjournment this afternoon, Mr .J. G. Latham (Leader of the Opposition), amidst considerable noise from the Government side, moved an adjournment. Mr Latham said his motion was moved in older to allow the House to discuss the publication of certain confidential cablegrams. Mr Latham was twice obliged to withdraw remarks directed at Mr Crouch, a Victorian Labour member, who frequently interjected. Mr Scullin rose to reply at 4.45 p.m. and talked the motion out. According to Standing Orders, the vote had. to be taken by .3 o'clock. An earlier message says that the National Party's sudden decision, this morning that Mr Latham should move for an adjournment of the House this afternoon to test the Government's position threw the latter's forces into excited activity. Five Victorian Labour members had not arrived by the morning train, and others were ab-

sent, so that the Government bad only 2b' assured votes. Arrangements were made for an aeroplane to bring .the members from Melbourne in time to participate in the division. Late in the afternoon the Beasley group decided that if. it came to a vote they must again save the Government. Messrs Maloney, Jones and Anstey left Melbourne early in the afternoon by aeroplane for Canberra. Mr Lewis flew from Geelong, but missed the Canberra aeroplane by minutes. A hurried consultation between Mr Scullin and Mr Latham just before a Labour caucus meeting was regarded as very significant. Mr 'Latham, Mr H. S. Gullett and Mr J. A. Lyons also conferred earlier. The Government's uncertainty has been increased by the, lack of any indication of the Beasley group's attitude. It is believed that it may abstain from voting. "RESULT OF VILE TREACHERY." DENIAL OF SOMERSAULTING. „ (Received This Dav, 10.45 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. Replying to Mr Latham's motion for the adjournment of the House, Mr Scullin described the publication of confidential cablegrams upon which the Opposition based its criticism of his financial policy and the recent judicial appointments, as "the result of vile treachery." Those who used information surreptitiously obtained were in the position of one whose hands must be dirtied if they used dirty tools. He would not produce the cablegrams, but intended to maintain the tradition of inviolability regarding such communications. He had not somersaulted, a-s had been alleged, in his attitude on inflation. Everything he said in that connection in the cablegrams he had repeated since he returned to Australia.

CO-OPERATION REFUSED. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LABOUR. ADELAIDE, March 17. The South Australian Labour Party Conference defeated a motion that the South Australian Labour Party should co-operate with the New South Wales Labour Party in forcing the adoption of that [State's financial plans. A proposal to co-operate with other States to bring about a measure of controlled inflation was carried. DEFICIT IN THE WEST. EXPECTED AMOUNT OF £935,000. (Received This Dav, 10.5 a.m.) PERTH, Tins Day. It now appears that the financial year will end with a deficit of £935,000, instead of the anticipated surplus of £OOOO.

COUNCIL ABOLITION APPEAL. "TIMES' " VIEW OF POSITION. (Received This Dav, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 17. "The Times" in a leader on the Australian High Court's dismissal of the Lang appeal in connection with the proposed abolition of the New South Wales Legislative Council, says: 'this has given the very "Red" Premier , a check that may seriously interfere with his plans for establishing a Dictatorship of the proletariat, with, himself as Dictator. Mr 'Lang is unlikely to appeal to the people by referendum, for there is little doubt the verdict would be against him. If he .seeks the creation ot new members to force through legislation of a confiscatory, revolutionary ciharaeter, the Governor, before assenting, will probably wish to be satisfied that the Government has the country's .support for an extremist measure which was not placed before the electors at the last election. The situation is complicated by Mr Lang's feud against Mr Theodore. It becomes daily more evident that the life of the Scullin Government is numbered in hours."—"The Times."

STRONG LEADER WANTED. LONDON PRESS OPINION. LONDON, March 17. Recalling that it is eight months since the Australian Premiers, after listening to Sir Otto Niemeyer, agreed on a programme of retrenchment, the "Morning Post" affirms that practically nothing has been done, and that the crisis, the worst of which might already have been passed, is still as urgent as ever. '•There are unmistakable signs," the article continues, "that the Australian people are. only awaiting a strong lead, hitherto denied, in order to co-operate with an energetic Government in the work of financial restoration. They may rest assured that a generous helping hand will be extended from Britain once their Government begins to face the difficulties. In particular, a request for some alleviation of the war debt burden would receive sympathetic attention."