POLITICAL STRUGGLE

Evening Star, Issue 21519, 18 September 1933, Page 9

POLITICAL STRUGGLE

NEW SOUTH WALES UPPER HOUSE MR LANG’S ACTIVITY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, September 16. The Labour daily states that Mr Lang has submitted a petition to be cabled to the King and the Secretary of State for the Dominions asking His Majesty to refuse to instruct the Governor to assent to the Bill passed by Parliament last week dealing with Upper House reform, pending an appeal to the Privy Council in the equity claim of Mr Doyle, a Legislative Councillor, which was dismissed by the Full Court. The petition sets out that the Australian Labour Party has consistently supported constitutional government and desires to retain it; that . there is intense dissatisfaction over the recent referendum, and that the “ Labour Party and many others opposed to them on ordinary issues believe the present Ministry is attempting to carry measures overturning popular government similar to those that have been carried in European countries.” Meantime cases have been brought by Mr Piddington and Mr Doyle to have the referendum and tho State Government’s actions upset. When they were mentioned in the Equity Court Acting-Chief Justice Harvey said he found a difficulty in deciding what to do. The suits should be amalgamated and the issues stated in one case before proceeding to seek an appeal to a higher authority. The case was adjourned for a week. THE MACHINERY BILL SYDNEY, September 18. (Received September 18, at 11.5 a.m.) It is expected in political circles that the Royal assent will bo given within a few days to tho Machinery Bill dealing with Upper House reform. Steps will then bo taken to receive nominations for the new Chamber. Mr Lang’s petition to the King to refuse his assent is not regarded with much seriousness in well-informed quarters.