IN DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 7

IN DEFENCE.

SWEEPING CHARGES.

LANG POLICY SPEECH.

Repudiation As Australia's One Salvation. GOVERNOR AS "ASSASSIN." (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY. May 2G. . •In announcing the New South Wales Labour party's policy in an election * address at Auburn last evening, the ex-Premier, Mr. Lang, condemned the attitude of the other Australian Governments in attempting to meet overseas interest payments off £, 36,000,000 a year, rather than seek a moratorium.

If his party were returned to power, said Mr. Lang, it would contribute only so much toward the payment of overseas interest as remained after pressing internal requirements had been satisfied. A temporary suspension of interest payments would not bring salvation, nor would tinkering with wages, as provided under the Premiers' plan, solve their problems.

Immediate relief would be found in the Lang plan. This would greatly reduce interest charges and also would compel financial institutions to function in the interests of the community. His Covernment had sought to do that by levying heavy taxation on the banks and big financial institutions. It was right on the eve of victory when "the hand of the assassin" had struck—swift and unerring.

Arrayed against his Government, said Mr. Lang, were the newspapers of the whole Commonwealth, while the Courts showed that they were prepared to twist the law, giving it an interpretation that benefited alone the great financial institutions.

The hostile Upper House did its best to snatch the fruits of victory from the people, but on June 11 (polling day) "the dagger would be retrieved from the assassin," and the power to make laws would come from Parliament alone.

The Labour party asked for a clear mandate to take all the steps necessary to keep the Courts of New South Wales free from political bias.

Mr. Lang went on to explain how his Mortgage Taxation Bill would have enabled the Government to find millions of money for the unemployed. He asserted that vested interests would have tried through the Courts to prevent its enactment, and he anticipated they would do so again.

"If the High Court rejects our legislation," continued Mr. Lang, "wo shall hypothecate three years' revenue from the unemployment tax and by the issue of debentures for £21,000,000 get back into employment the bulk of the workless.

"So that these debentures shall retain their value the Government will accept them as payment for income tax and retire the certificates as they fall due.

"If the High Court gives a legal decision, not a political one, this course will not be necessary, because the mortgage tax we originally had in view will give us all the money we want."

Mr. Lang attacked the Governor, Sir Philip Game, the newspapers, and the financial institutions. He complained of the Commonwealth Government's persecution, and promised an extension of the moratorium for three years, concessions to country settlers and further social benefits to those in need.