N.S.W. POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16, 20 January 1926, Page 7

N.S.W. POLITICS.

MR. LANGS INTENTIONS. THE COUNCIL SHALL GO. (Received 1 p.m.i SYDNEY, this day. The Premier, Mr. J. T. Lang-, in an interview, referring to the Government's latest defeat in the Council, said: "I will win in the end. I do not intend to take any notice of defeat at this juncture. I have determined the Council shall go, and go it shall, if it takes a fight of twenty rounds. Cabinet is absolutely unanimous in Its decision on the matter. They are prepared to immediately introduce a bill to bring about tire initiative, referendum and recall. It is anticipated the Council Abolition Bill will be defeated this week." Mr. I.ancr then proposes to close the session, call another special session, and, in the event of further defeat, another special session. Should he suffer defeat a third time he will then take advantage of the constitution and declare vacant the seats of those members of the Council who have been absent from the two special sessions. In the meantime the Australian Labour Conference will have oeen asked to adopt a motion placing the selection of members of the Council solely in the hands of the Premier. Armed with this power he will select a number of additional members and go to the Governor for their appointment. He expressed confidence that the Governor, having been told by the Home authorities he must obey his responsible Ministers, would have to make the appointments. Then Mr. Lang will call another special session, and with his increased and fully pledged supporters, would carry the abolition proposals. (A. and N.Z. Cable.) REVERSE FOR GOVERNMENT. MR. LANG'S LAMBS. SYDNEY. January 19. ! The State Government again suffered a severe reverse in the Legislative Coun- ! cil to-day. I Sir Joseph Carruthers presented the report of the Select Committee of the House as to the reasons why the Council ; had insisted on its amendments to the ! Parliamentary Electors Bill. I The report stated that the Council I was constitutionally right in making any i amendments it thought necessary as the provisions of the Government's bill had not received the approval of the people. | Mr. A. C. Willis, Vice-President of the Executive Council, strongly appealed to : the House to reject the report and thus jto carry the bill in its original form. j On a division being taken, however, ' the report was adopted by 34 votes to 27. i A motion moved by Sir Joseph Cari ruthers to the effect that the Council ! insisted on its amendments to the bill I was then carried. I After this defeat of the Government Mr. Willis postDoned the Abolition of the Legislative Council Bill until tomorrow, and the House adjourned. At a special meeting of the Cabinet it was decided to introduce a bill in the Legislative Assembly to provide for the ! initiative and referendum, and the recall. | The measure is based on the Swiss : system. Lnder this, if elected represen- ! tatives are not carrying out the avowed ! policy of the party, groups of the electorates can by petition demand that the j policy be carried out. and then if Parliament rejects such legislation, a referj endum can be demanded. If the policy should not then be endorsed the electors I can demand the recall of the parliamentarians. 1 This bill will not be introduced for j some time.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)