EXTERNAL DEBT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20524, 18 April 1932, Page 9

EXTERNAL DEBT.

j MR LANG'S ATTITUDE DEPRECATED. FEDERAL MESSAGE TO LONDON. i ; RELIEF DEPENDS ON WAR DEBTS SETTLEMENT. (UNITED THESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC 'l'ELEGßArll—copyjtiau'r.) (Received April 17th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 16. Tho Premier, Mr J. T. Lang, has returned to Sydney from tho Premiers' Conference at Melbourne. I.t is stated that ho does not intend to return to Melbourne. Tho Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, has sent a statement to tho London Press deprecating Mr Lang's suggestion to withhold interest on overseas loans in order to meet economic and financial difficulties. Sir Lyons pointed out that the prospect of a general reduction in interest on external debts depended on the action taken upon an international basis for the relief of debtor countries. Ho sincerely hoped that tlio war debts question would be settled at the International Conference which is to bo held at London in June. Whatever measure of relief was obtained, however, would depend upon how far Australia would be able to strengthen her credit. Mr Lang's attitude certainly did not enhance Australia's prospects of relief.

MR LANG'S POLICY. SPEECH AT MELBOURNE DENOUNCED. COMMENT BY FEDERAL LEADER. MELBOURNE, April 16. Commenting on Mr J. f. Lang's speech at tlio Fremiors' Conference, the Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, said that Mr Lang was running true to form. Ho had burst forth with a speech made up of u tissue of misrepresentation and bitterness, and this was his only, contribution towards the alleviation of unemployment. 3lc left for Sydney casting aside all semblance of British honesty and squaro dealing, and coming out in his true colours. "Mr Lang's statement about the proposed abolition of the Arbitral ion Courts was a sheer fabrication," continued Mr Lyons. "Mr Lang wants to pay no interest and spend more borrowed money. JIo obviously does not want to rolieve unemployment. He wants to continue his policy of keeping many of his supporters on full-time works, and increasing the ranks of the dolo receivers until the system breaks down, when ho will bring forward a Socialistic plan.

"The Premier of Xew South Wales desires to prevent the unemployed fro in benefiting under the relief loan scheme. Mr Lang's proposals can only bring ruin to producers, savings bank dopositoi'B, old-ago and war pensioners, and a big body of the employed and unemployed workers."

ECONOMIC PLAN.

ATTITUDE OF STATE PREMIERS

SYDNEY, April 10.

The Melbourne correspondent of the "Sydney Daily Telegraph" says that Tasmania alone has accopted the economic plan, subjoct to reservations, and it is thought that South Australia will do tho same.

Western Australia falls in lino only as far as the exchange is concerned. Mr J. T. Lang and tho Victorian delegate, Mr T. Tunnccliffe, condemned the proposals, and Queensland may be taken as having also decided against them.

CRISIS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. FEAR OF REVOLUTION. SYDNEY, April IG. In the event of the High Court deciding against tho New South Walos Government on tho motion to compel tho banks to pay back to the Stato all Stato moneys already paid to tho Commonwea'th, tho Governor (Sir Philip Game) will dissolve tho Stato Parliament. This view is expressed by well-in-formed people. It is believed that the Governor _ is extremely perturbed at the possibility of n revolution, the trado unions having announced their intention to tako their place "in tho fight which is impending," and is accordingly enlisting aid from roturned soldiers, and is placing tho united organisation at tho disposal of tho Premier (Mr J. T. Lang). PRIVY COUNCIL. NEW SOUTH WALES APPEAL. , LONDON, April 15. The hearing of the New South AVales Government's appeal to the Privy Council was adjourned until Monday, after Sir Richard Cripps (counsel for tho apIpollants) had finished his address, which lasted thirteen hours. THE LIVERPOOL TRAGEDY. IMPORTANT DISCOVERY BY POLICE. (Received April 17th, 5.3 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 17. The man wanted by the police in connexion with tho murder of Frank Wilkinson and Miss Dorothy Denzel, at Liverpool, had another close call on Friday afternoon, although the fact only became known yesterday. The polico

apparently went within 100 yards of where ho was resting or camping in scrub in the Dumbleton district, 12 miles south of tho city. A woman Jiving in tho locality saw a mnn rise to his feet after the police had passed. He beat a hasty retreat. She thought him only a casual "dosser" and failed to report the matter until yesterday. The police returned to the spot and made the important discovery of a tweed overcoat spread on the ground, a chaff bag containing a gun stock, showing stains like blood, jewels, trinkets, a girl's watch similar to that worn by Miss Denzel before slio was murdered, two rings, a blood-stained bandage, portions of a vug, and also portions of a man's clothing, thought to bo Wilkinson's. DATE FOR VICTORIAN ELECTIONS. MELBOURNE, April 16. Tho Stato Cabinet has fixed May 14th as tho da to for the Stato elections.