MR LANG AND MR LYONS.

Evening Star, Issue 21079, 16 April 1932, Page 12

MR LANG AND MR LYONS.

Mr Lang’s attendance at the Premiers’ Conference in Melbourne has certainly not contributed towards harmony in that country. Mr Lang is reported to have listened attentively to the speech of the Federal Prime Minister—whom, no doubt, he regards as the prime mover in establishing a receivership in New South Wales—and later the Now South Wales Premier made a speech which has drawn from Mr Lyons comment of a nature so scathing as to widen the breach between New South Wales and the rest of Australia. There docs, however, seem to be a possibility of an appeal to the electors in New South Wales. Sir Lang has appealed to the Privy Council against the garnishee order, and in the event of a decision adverse to him it is expected that Sir Philip Game will dissolve the State Parliament. The preparations for such an election read ominously. A rival organisation to the New Guard is spoken of, and the assumption is that a contest something on the lines of the election just conducted in the State of Illinois may develop. The American model is not one for imitation in any British dominion. It is evident that Mr Lang wishes to make the issue of the election, whenever it may take place, the maintenance of wage standards and the provision of work for the unemployed at those standards. Whence the necessary wages fund is to be derived he did not say, except that there should be a cessation of interest payment overseas. So far as New South Wales is concerned, that cessation is already in operation, but without any apparent improvement in industrial conditions. These, indeed, are likely to become worse because of the flight of New South Wales capital, largely across the Murray to Victoria. How long the Government of New South Wales can carry on with the funds it withdrew from tho bank and placed in the Treasury is unknown, but the money must soon be exhausted, and the cost of an election would deplete the amount more rapidly than ever. Victoria presents a great contrast to her northern neighbour. There constitutional methods are being followed, and a dissolution has been granted and the date of the election lixed.