HIGH COST OF DYING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1926, Page 7

HIGH COST OF DYING.

MR. LANG'S LORDS AND PAYMENT. I WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. ' Unueual interest centres in the appointment by Mr. Lang, the Labour Premier of New South Wales, of a number of friends to the Legislative Council. These for a consideration were ewom to rote for their own abolition as a council, thus aiding Mr. Lang in stifling opposition to any Government measure. The Sydney "Daily Telegraph," in the course of comment says:— Seeing the insincerity of the Government on the abolition issue, Mr. Aehton, M.L.C., frankly declared, on the day the Governor consented to the flooding of the House, that he would give the Premier reasonable time to put an end to the council, and, if nothing happened, he would himself "call the bluff." In so many words, Sir Joseph Carruthers expressed a simUar intention. Prior to the appointment of the "gallant twenty-five," when the Labour group in the Council felt that it had the whiphand over the Government, a "memorial," signed by a majority of these stalwarts and several of the alleged "die-hards," was presented to the Premier, asking for an "allowance." No sum, however, was specified. It was not to be salary, but just a little "something," which would be available for those who were "so disposed." And one of the reasons given. for the demand was that the members of the Second Chambers in other democratic communities were paid for their services. No mention was made of the fact that the Second Chambers referred to are not nominee Houses. Probably, in the excitement of the moment, this little detail was forgoten. Mr. Lang , , who does not lack shrewdness in an emergency, made sure of hie position pending the ultimate decision on the question of abolition by flooding the Chamber with men pledged to sup- | port him, and by opening the gates for a further influx of both men and women, should such action become necessary. A Powerful Argument. The inner history of the "memorial" is interesting. It appears that when. : the "salary grab" bill was brought before Parliament Mr. Lang 6ent for his supporters in the Upper House, and appealed to them to rally round. He pointed out that he did not wish the • measure to be 'blocked in the Council, ' and would therefore be glad if Labour members there would attend, and see lit safely through. : It was then that one or two of the Labour M.L.C.'c pointed out to the Premier that regular attendance put them to a considerable financial loss, and that they did not see how they could manage it unless some sort of allowance was forthcoming. In effect, Mr. Lang replied: "Very well, then. You had better arrange for a round robin, so that Cabinet can know the exact position." A round ! robin was accordingly prepared, and passed round for signature. Practically every Labour man appended his name, and a number of anti-Labour I members, some of whom would not have accepted a penny of payment, signed in a spirit of sympathy for their poorer colleagues. ! The Government received the '•memorial," but took not the slightest action : regarding it. And What of the Future? Sir Joseph Oarruthers, when ques- ! tioned, said that he refused to sign the j round robin because he thought his ' name might he used by some members of the Government with an ulterior motive. He had never at any time expressed his opinion for or against the granting at" an allowance to members. But when the Council disappears, where will Mr. Willis go? It is a conj undrum to which there are several answers. One thing, however, is certain: Mr. Willis will lodge in a comfortable ■ nest. I As vice-president of the Executive j Council he draws a handsome salary. I But he can still struggle along, say, in another Ministerial capacity, or even as an Industrial Commissioner, when the Arbitration Court is abolished, as it will be when the Arbitration Bill passes in its original form. Possibly he will be Minister of Mines, for there is talk of a Cabinet re-shuffle, and Mr. Baddeley is reported to be overloaded with work. Some of hw lobby friends have even declared that Mr. Willis is a prospective Lieutenant-Governor, but this is extremely unlikely. Mr. Lang probably feels that when he ha 3 abolished the Arbitration Court and the Legislative Council he will have done as much as public opinion will tolerate —if not more.