LANG IN PILLORY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 77, 1 April 1931, Page 11

LANG IN PILLORY

BRITISH PRESS COMMENT

STRONG CONDEMNATION

LONDON, 30th March. The "News-Chronicle" in. a leader, says that the Federal Government's do-1 ckion to moot the New South Wales interest payments is Australia's patriotic retort to the Premier, Mr. j. T. Lang, who has cut a sorry figure, and would doubtless be swept from office if the . elections occurred to-morrow. Tho "Morning Post's" diplomatic correspondent says that the Australian situation is viewed with greater optimism than has been evident for some time. Mr. Lang's declaration, touched Australian pride, and the pendulum is now swinging in the opposite direction. It is possible that the Theodore-Scul-lin policy compromise shortly will cease to be considered the way out, and that the downright policy of reconstruction advocated by the All for Australia League, and also Mr. Lyons will come into favour. With such a policy in force, London finance will not be-slow to respond. MATTERS NOT MINCED. The "Daily Telegraph" says "the Government has vindicated Australia's good name with commendable promptitude." The messages from Australia bear striking witness to the general anxiety lest Britain should\think Australia is capablo of following Mr. Lang's vicious .and wicked lead. Repudiation has been violently repudiated. Tho best solution would be for New South Wales to throw out Mr. Lang neck and crop before he does more mischief. "Tho Daily Express" says that yesterday many timorous buyers who sold their 'bonds in a panic aro buying them back at increased prices. "The Times" says that Mr. Thomas's announcement in the House of- Commons was received with relief, and will do much to repair the harm which Mr. Lang has done. "It can safely be said that Mr. Lang has made his countrymen realise the danger of putting politicians in power who cannot be trusted to maintain the financial integrity of the country." ' ' ' The "Daily Herald" says: "Australian opinion generally is very much annoyed that Australia should have to pay Britain a far higher rate of interest on her war debt than Britain pays America, but to feel a grievance is one thing and to attempt to remove it by Mr. Lang's rough and ready methods is another. The decision of tho Commonwealth Government makes Mr. Lang's heroics look foolish."