PREMIER OR DICTATOR?

Evening Star, Issue 19412, 22 November 1926, Page 6

PREMIER OR DICTATOR?

HEW SOUTH WALES CRISIS MR LOUGHLIN STANDS FAST LABOR PARTY ANXIOUS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, November 22. (Received November 22, at 10.45 a.m.) Strenuous efforts were made over the week-end to- effect a settlement with Messrs Loughlin, Goodin, and Gillies, but they remained obdurate and the efforts were fruitless. It is rumored that a section of the Labor Party, with a view to a settlement, suggested that Mr Lang should sthnd down, but Mr Lang’s supporters made it clear that they wanted him to face the situation, and place on the malcontents the responsibility of throwing the Government out of office. The Labor Caucus held a lengthy meeting in camera. It .was officially announced that the situation was fully discussed, and it was decided to await developments in the House to-day. At the Australian Labor Party’s executive meeting Mr T. D. Mutch, Minister of Labor, disagreed with Mr Lang’s view that if an election was held the Labor Party would obtain fortyseven seats. He thought that, owing to the position over the dictatorship, the party would not get more than 30 seats. Mr Mutch continued that he was vigorously opposed to the position created by the resolution of the conference making the Premier a dictator. He would not consider, however, any proposal to vote against tho party. Ho said that the appointment of a dictator had done the party -much harm. Dictatorship meant that the Ministers were like a lot of school children, and had to carry out the orders of the dictator. Another executive meeting will be held to-night to consider to-day’s events. The committee appointed to meet Messrs Goodin and Gillies endeavored to discuss the situation with them, but both refused to do anything except in the presence of Mr Loughlin. The committee also visited Mr Loughlin, and discussed the matter at length with him. It is understood that he declined to reconsider his decision, and said that unless Mr Lang resigned the leadership of tho party nothing could be done.