REBUFF FOR MR. LANG

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 140, 10 December 1931, Page 9

REBUFF FOR MR. LANG

DEFEATED IN UPPER HOUSE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEi, 3rd December.

There was many a sigh of relief in New South Wales last week when, in spite of tho flooding of the Legislative Council by its supporters, the Labour Government was defeated on vital matters. A distinct fear had developed that Mr. Lang would be more a dictator than ever, especially when the re-committed Bill permitting betting on mechanical hare racing had such an easy passage. Then came the Insurance Companies Bill designed to compel insurance companies doing business' within tho State to lodge with the Government a very substantial cash deposit. An amendment was moved enabling the substitution of Government bonds for the cash, and this the Government bitterly opposed. The Labour men who adhere to the Federal Labour Party as against the Lang Labour Party, joined with the non-Labour section and the amendment was carried.

When the proposed casli deposit was first mentioned some time ago there was some doubt concerning the sincerity of Mr. Lang, who had said that his solo desire was to protect the public. It was then suggested that the samo (purpose could bib'achieve! by accepting bonds, and when Mr. Lang, in his usual uncompromising stylo, insisted upon cash, it was suggested that the Government's desire for money was greater than its desire to protect the public. Mr. Laiig made no attempt to justify bis demand, but went ahead serenely until pulled up once again by the Upper House, which he has been, and still is, so anxious to abolish.. It has been hold that in declining to accept bonds, the- Government has biseu "fouling its own nest," for it should be the last to cast any doubts on their value as security.

The- defeat has shown definitely that the Federal Labour Party actually hold the balance of power ia the Council, and will be an efficient brako on Mr. Lang and his wild schemes. The Ministry now wonders whether it will be able to pass the Greater Sydney Bill, designed to bring big industrial areas into the city so that Labour will be ablo to secure everlasting control of civic affairs, as well as control of the harbour and the supply of electricity. Already, with a total disregard of everybody, Mr. Lang has decided that the municipal elections in and around Sydney fixed for next Saturday shall be postponed, ostensibly because of the clash with the Federal election, but actually to enable him to bring in his Greater Sydney Bill. If Mr. Lang plans to enhance his own cause, he can be depended upon rousing the ire of the Federal A.L.P. supporters in the Legislative Council, and the greater Sydney of his dreams might be postponed.

Whatever happens, it is clear now that the Upper House, even though it be swamped, will not be a mere rubber stamp of approval of everything Mr. Lang says and does. Maybe Mr. Lang will seek additional appointments.