LANG’S DEFIANCE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 167, 11 April 1932, Page 9

LANG’S DEFIANCE

No Counter-Moves Yet OFFICE DOORS OPENED Conference in Melbourne I PAYMENTS OF INCOME-TAX By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Rec. April, 10, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 10. The Federal Government has not yet taken any further definite step to counter the obstructive actions of the State Premier, Mr. J. T. Lang. Officials worked yesterday ’in the Taxation Office floors, which were locked up on Friday by Mr. Lang, but the nature of their employment there is not stated. In the meantime, Mr. B. S. B. Stevens, the new leader of the State United Party and a former Treasurer, has visited Melbourne and conferred w’lth Federal Ministers. Thus a week of the most melodramatic happenings in the political history of the State closed with no suggestion of compromise. Citizens await the Commonwealth’s next move with keen interest. The Premiers will meet next week in conference at Melbourne, and Mr. Lang proposes to attend. Income-tax payments are being made freely to Federal officers 'at the Commonwealth Bank in the meantime. Mr. Lang’s Complaint. Mr. Lang has written to the Prime Minister, Mr. J. T. Lyons, complaining that the Commonwealth, having repudiated the agreement of 1923, under which New South Wales undertook to act as collecting authority for Federal and State land and income taxes, he had no alternative but to cancel the agreement forthwith. No Quick Retaliation. /The “Daily Telegraph” says that the action of Mr. Lang in closing certain sections of the Income Tax Department did not draw the Federal Government into quick action. A high Cabinet Minister indicated that the Federal Government would act first and announce afterwards In any move against Mr. Lang’s rebellious measures to prevent the collection of State and Federal taxation. The Enforcement Act provides a heavy penalty for breaches, of its provisions, and Mr. Lang could be prosecuted under these if he hampered the operation of the Act. “It is unlikely that such a prosecution will be launched, at present,” said Mr. Lyons, addiftg that for'the present the Federal authorities were awaiting official advice from Mr. Lang about what steps he was taking. Immediate action ,was being taken by the Commonwealth Government to obtain another certificate from the Auditor-Gen-oral to cover the extra amount of £1,110.000 involved in tho April default by Mr. Lang. Mr. Lyons denied the “Labour Daily” report that the Federal Government contemplated seizing the people’s savings in the Commonwealth Bank to liquidate the State default. "There is not the slightest foundation for this malicious report,”, ho said. DEFIANCE OF COURT “Most Amazing Action’’ Perth. April 9. “It is most amazing.” said the Premier. Sir James Mitchell, referring to Mr. Lang's action. “He cannot be allowed to defy the authority of the High Court any more than any other citizen. His attitude damns Australia.” DIVISION OF STATE Referendum Demanded Sydney; April 9. A demand for a referendum for the immediate division of New South Wales into three districts, represented by the Riverlna, New England, and Western movements, was decided upon by the executive of the United Country Party at a special meeting to consider the position. A telegram to this effect was sent to the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, signed by Dr. Earle Page, Mr. E. Body, and .Senator Hardy, the respective leaders of the three movements. The telegram says: “We dissociate ourselves from the disloyal and destructive acts of the Lang Government, and ask for constitutional machinery that will prevent a continuance or recurrence of such acts.” DEARER DOLE BREAD New Contract Concluded (Rec. April 10, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 10. The Government has concluded a new contract with the master bakers to supply dole bread at 4/6 a dozen, an Increase of threepence on the rate fixed by Mr. Justice Piddlngtou. The whole State Is affected and, as dole bread Is obtainable only from contractors, many small shops hitherto handling it, as well as small bakeries. are likely to be forced out of business.