LANG LOSES SUPPORT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 179, 27 April 1931, Page 9

LANG LOSES SUPPORT

Party Members Afraid BITTERNESS IN N.S.W. Leader’s Dismissal Sought “DIFFICULT TO SHIFT” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. April 26, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 26. Recent political events in New South Wales, culminating in the Savings, Bank sensation, have, it it stated, intensified the bitterness against the Lang administration. It is now reported that a section of Ills colleagues are seeking his dismissal from the Premiership as in the «vent of a sudden election, several country Labourites fear they will lose their seats. Mr. J. T. Lang meanwhile remains silent. He will be difficult to shift, having been appointed leader for the full session. He cannot be deposed by caucus except with the sanction of the party’s executive at the Trades Hall. Actually he has the powers of a dictator. His friends declare that the talk of displacing him is purely propaganda emanating from the Theodore party. STATE BY-ELECTION Labour’s Anzac Day Win RESENTMENT OF VOTERS (Rec. April 26, 5.5 p.m.)* Sydney, April 26. Tile State by-election for Annandale resulted as follows:— Stuart Robinson (Labour) 3395 Miss Simpson (Independent) 3130 Meatheringham (Independent) 413 Morrison (Commuifist) 405 Informal 912 There was much resentment because the election was fixed for Anzac Day and, as voting is compulsory, many electors apparently expressed their feelings by nullifying the ballotpapers. UNITY OF PARTIES Good Progress in Sydney ANTI-EXTREMIST POLICY Sydney. April 24. Efforts are being made in Sydney to bring about unity of action among the various political parties opposed to the extremist forces in the community. A similar effort was made last week to co-ordinate the anti-extremist parties in Federal politics. Considerable progress has been made. The National Party is willing to extend the utmost co-operation to the All-for-Australia League, and the Country Party is prepared to enter into an agreement provided that its separate entity is respected, and that it has. a fair representation in any composite Ministry, if one is formed. The basic policy on which all parties are agreed is: Economy of administration as advised by the Conference of Premiers in Melbourne and uncompromising opposition to Inflation and any form of repudiation. All the parties are unanimous that restoration of industry can be achieved by no other -way than by the adopttion of this policy. A conference held in Sydney is being attended by representatives of the Federal and State National Parties the C.ountry Party, the AU-for-Australia League, the National Union, and the Victorian National Party. The aim of the conference is to ensure at the next election that there shall be a united front to the extremist forces, which the parties believe will endeavour, apart from direct repudiation, to bring about inflation of currency with all its attendant misery. GOVERNMENT SAVED Casting Vote, of Speaker (Rec. April 26, 5.5 p.m.) Canberra, April 25. The Government was saved by the Speaker’s vote when the House of- Representatives voted on a motion that the exclusion of the Melbourne Herald” ' representative over the publication of secret cables between members of the Government, was a matter for the House and not for the Speaker. PUBLIC IS RESTIVE Indignation Meetings Planned (Rec. April 26, 5,5 p.m.) Adelaide, April 26. Simultaneous public indignation meetings are being planned throughout the Commonwealth within the next fortnight with the object of petitioning the Governor-General to dissolve the Federal Parliament on the ground that it is inoperative owing to the impossibility of reconciling the House of Representatives and the Senate. LOWER BASIC WAGE Adjustments in Australia Melbourne, April 24. In accordance with the cost of living figures for the quarter ended March 31 there will be a further adjustment of tlie basic wage. The new rates will be:—Melbourne, £3/16/-, down 2/-; Sydney, £4/2/6, down 2/6; Brisbane, £3/7/6, no reduction; Adelaide. £3/11/6, down 2/-; Perth, £3/14/-, increase 6d; Hobart, £3/16/6, down 1/6.