LANG’S NEW BILLS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 147, 18 March 1931, Page 9

LANG’S NEW BILLS

Financial Scheme for New South Wales INTEREST REDUCTION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. .) (Rec. March 17, 9 p.m.). Sydney, March IT. Introducing the Interest Bill in the New South Wales Assembly, the Premier, Mr. J. T. Lang, said: "Confronted with inevitable repudiation, the different Governments of Australia must realise that It is their duty to formulate proposals which will avoid national bankruptcy.” The Bill, said the Premier, was one of a number, and formed part of a proposal to reconstruct the affairs of the State and deal with the z present situation in New South Wales. A crowded meeting was held in Adyar Hall to protest against Mr. Lang’s Arbitration Bill. Mr. J. C. Watson, former Labour Prime Minister, described the measure as “delusion, deceit, and fraud.” Mr. Watson referred to Mr. Justice Piddington as a theorist, lacking the practical qualifications necessary for the control of industry. The meeting, which was held under the auspices of the Chamber of Manufacturers, protested against the Bill because it deprives manufacturers and employers of the management and control of their businesses, will seriously interfere with the carrying on and de velopment of existing industries, will prevent the establishment of new ones, will drive trade from the State, and will seriously increase unemployment. Mr. Lang is proposing to reduce the rates of interest payable in New South Wales; also to amend the Crown Suits Act of 1912 and certain other Acts. FURTHER TAX RAIDS Labour’s Plans for Relief UNEMPLOYED “PITTANCE” Sydney, March 17. Proposals for the further relief of unemployment were submitted by a special committee to the Labour Conference. These provide for a capital levy and/or a steeply graded supertax on the higher incomes, the conduct of a State lottery, bond loans, and advertising tax, the present relief tax of 1/in £ on wages to be ultimately converted into an unemployment insurance fund. The committee condemned the failure of the General Government to evolve measures to cope with the financial .crisis and protect the workers’ standard of living. The proposals did not go far enough for many delegates, and were referred back to the committee. The miners’ delegates opposed all reports, submitting an amendment for an extended scale of relief up to £4/2/6 fortnightly. One speaker declared that the miners were preparing to leave the A.L.P. They would not'endure much longer the pittance received from the present Labour Government. "If a plate-glass window is all that stops them, that glass is going." VIEWS ON INFLATION Labour in South Australia (Rec. March 17, 10 p.m.) Adelaide, March 17. The State Australian Labour Party Conference defeated a motion that the South Australian Labour Party should co-operate with the New South Wales Labour Party in forcing the adoption of that State’s financial plans. A proposal to co-operate with other States to bring about a measure of controlled inflation was carried. RATES OF INTEREST Reply to Premier’s Charges London, March 16. In connection with statements by. Mr. Lang, attacking the allegedly usurious rates of overseas interest, the Australian Press Association has secured figures of Australia’s Indebtedness showing that the average rate of interest on Federal and State borrowings was: In Australia, £5/5/3 per cent; New York, £5/0/9; London, £4/15/9. STATE WILL APPEAL Upper House Abolition Case Sydney, March 17. The State Cabinet has decided to appeal to the Privy Council against the decision of the Federal High Court in the Legislative Council case. Sir John Simon has been briefed to conduct the Government’s case. The Federal High Court, in a majority decision, disallowed the appeal of the New South Wales Government. This ■was against the decision of the New South Wales Supreme Court which sustained the validity of the Bavin Government’s amendment to the Constitution requiring a referendum to be taken bebore Bills for the abolition of the Upptr House are presentable for Royal assent. UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED \ Lang’s Privy Council Appeal London, March 16. The opinion is held here that if Mr. J. T. Lang takes the Upper House case to the Privy Council, he is unlikely to succeed. 'According to one authority the Privy Council is very reluctant to interfere in any High Court judgment on constitutional questions. It is considered that if his attitude be taken in regard ■to the Commonwealth Constitution, it is even more improbable that any appeal from a decision concerning the State is likely to impress the Privy Council.