LANG’S DEFIANCE

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1932, Page 5

LANG’S DEFIANCE

Of Federal Government SAYS LATTER’S ACT IS INVALID. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received March 15 at 10.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 15. In the N.S. Wales Assembly, the Premier, Mr Lang, in the course of a Ministerial statement on the Financial Agreement Enforcement Act, said that he had it on the best legal authority that this Act was invalid, and that its invalidity was well known to the Com-

monwealth Government. Dramatically he warned the Prime Minister, Mr

Lyons, that if the Commonwealth Peace Officers attempted to usurp the functions of the New South Wales police force, they would find themselves in the same, position as any other body that attempted to usurp the functions of the State Government. Tie added that the Commonwealth’s invalid Act was designed to oppress, and to deprive New South Wales of its money, to leave it without a penny piece, and to hold up essential services, and thereby depose the Government. Such a course would undoubtedly lead to conflict. turmoil and disorder, for which the Commonwealth would be directly responsible. He declared: “It will not collect one penny from New South Wales, and it can go straight ahead with its police force for the suppression of imaginary drillings and armings in this state.” CANBERRA. March 15. The last appeal to Mr Lang to remit the interest in which he is defaulting. standing at £83'0.000. is made in a letter posted to him bv Mr. Lyons. Though Parliament meets to-day, the proposed resolutions under section six of the Financial Agreement Enforcement Act, declaring the urgency o; payment, will not be introduced until Wednesday, presumably to allow time for Mr Lang to take advantage of the final opportunity for voluntary settlement.

Mr Lyons received Mr Lang’s tele gram, beseeching the Commonwealth Government to withhold any sectior until the High Court decided ♦he legality of the Act. Mr Lyons refus<l to make any comment. UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn). SYDNEY, March 15.

Mr Lang has received an invitation from Mr Lyons, inviting the New South Wales Government’s concurrence in the proposed conference to discuss the unemployment problems. The Prime Minister. Mr Lyons, announced in a letter, that the conference would be held in Melbourne on April 12, ami a special committee would be appointed immediately make suggestions and recommendations. A meeting of the Loan Council wi»! be called for the same date.

AN Tl-COMM U N IST AGITATION. SYDNEY, March 15. At the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Australia, the growth of Communism was referred to, and a motion was unanimously carried urging the Federal Government to 'leal effectively with the evil. A resolution was adopted favouring action to combat bribery and corruption and secret commissions.