N.S.W. POLITICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11493, 21 November 1931, Page 5

N.S.W. POLITICS

NEW APPOINTMENTS TO UPPER HOUSE

GOVERNOR AGREES ’.

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel.'Copyright! (Received Nov. 20, 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY. Nov. 20., A stir was caused in political circles to-night by the announcement that Governor Sir Philip Game had agreed to Mr Lang’s further representations for the appointment of 25 additional Labor nominees to tho Legislative Council. WHY WAS DECISION REVERSED? WILL COUNCIL BLOT ITSELF OUT? ;; (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Cox>yr*gbi ’ . (Received Nov, 21, 12.55 a.m.) r SYDNEY, Nov. 20. It is felt in newspaper circles tonight that when the new appointments are published in the morning a first class sensation will Kj the result, as the whole affair is most dramatic and unexpected and bound to cast gloom over business just at the very moment it is expnriencinsr a revival. The appointments null enable Mr. Lang to swamp the Legislative Council- His majority there will he probably 5 or 8, including a small section which is not wedded to Mr. Lang’s financial plan and led by Mr, Coates. It is expected Mr. Lang will be able to relv on 57 members to snpport the general measures sponsored by Labour. while the Opposition will Ije approximately 48. However, it is not easr to gauge tho strength of parties in the Upper House, as certain members please themselves how they vote. There have been occasions when avowed Labourites have crossed the floor when extremist legislation has been, vnder consideration. The general belief is that Mr. Lang has captured the Upper House on this occasion and an early attempt will be made to vote itself out of existence, thus there will be no need to -await the decision of the Privy Council in April. There was considerable speculation tonight as to the reason why the Gof>mor had reversed his former decision. It is agreed that the new members, whose appointments were confirmed at a special meeting of the Executive Council this afternoon will include mostly officials, such as militant trade unionists as boilermakers, brick-makers, miners, stove-makers, united labourers, engine-drivers, wharflabourers and two women appointees, Mr. J. J. Graves, general secretary of the State Labour party, also Mr. Donald Grant, formerly in the public eye in connection with I.W.W. prosecutions and now a city alderman.