MR. LANG'S FUTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 1, 3 January 1933, Page 9

MR. LANG'S FUTURE.

INFLUENCE OF "REDS." FEDERAL LEADER'S COMMENT. MR. J. F. COATES ARRIVES. A glimpse behind the scenes of Australian politics and the activities of Mr. J. T. Lang was given by the Hon. J. F. Coates, Leader of the Federal Labour party in the New South Wales Parliament, who arrived from Sydney by the Zealandia this morning, on a short health trip. "We have been through three years of strenuous Parliamentary life," said Mr. Coates. "That period has been broken only by an election. One session sat for over twelve months, which is unprecedented in the history of Australian politics." There was a general feeling that the prospects of the Federal Labour party for the next election were excellent, said Mr. Coates. There had been much criticism of the Federal and State Governments, but the workers had at last appreciated the conditions which Lang and Beasley had left behind them. Mr. Lang had been flirting with the Socialist sectfon of his own party, which consisted of "near" Communists and real Communists.

"This section has now got out of control, and at their next conference I expect to sec the Lang party controlled by extremists," remarked Mr. Coates. "in creating this socialisation committee Mr. Lang "has brought into being a Frankenstein monster that has almost killed him politically., At the next election Mr. Lang will contest with Mr. Percy Coleman, and I believe that Mr. Coleman will beat him. Apparently Mr. Lang has similar fears, because he has made certain arrangements with the sitting member, Mr. Gander. After the sho'ck he got at the last State elections, Mr. Lang will not be prepared to take the risk of fighting Mr. Coleman."

Mr. Coates said that recently a determined attempt had been made by many of Mr. Lang's agents to have him recognised as the Federal Labour leader in Australia, but they found when the Australian Congress of Trades Unions met in Melbourne, that not more than half a dozen of the large number present would have anything to do with Mr. Lang. The attempt to thrust Mr. Lang on the Australian movement proved to be a horrible failure.

"People are now recognising the wonderful work the Scullin Government did in rectifying an adverse trade balance of 42 millions, so that we have 40 millions excess of imports," concluded Mr. Coates. "Tkev also recognise his action at the Premiers' Conference in having all interest rates, bonds and other aecurities reduced be 22J per cent. That alone meant a difference of 84 millions in twelve months. This extraordinary result is not likely to be forgotten by the people of Australia."