VERY HARD UP

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1932, Page 5

VERY HARD UP

LANG GOVERNMENT Federal Seizure of Funds (Aus- & N.Z. Cable Assn). CANBERRA, April 30. Still more power is taken by the Commonwealth in the new regulations under the Enforcement Act, in a spe cial gazette. These empower the Commonwealth to require any State Minister or officer to furnish returns, reports or statements showing what documents relative to any classes ot revenue specified, have been received, or issued by the Minister or Officer, whether copies were made, and in whose custody, or control, the documents or copies were Under this power the Commonwealth intends to compel the State authorities to disclose the whereabouts of taxation and other financial documents, should they be hidden in an attempt to forestall the Commonwealth enforcements. 1 Opinion in Commonwealth circles is that within a week the Lang Govern- . ment will be entirely without resources. Some fears are expressed that the situation may provoke disturbances in Sydney on May Day. The situation is being closely watched from Canberra

N.S.W. Breakaway FROM COMMONWEALTH. A NEW POSSIBILITY. (Aus. A N.Z. Cable Assn). SYDNEY, April 30. Speaking at Paramatta, the Minister for Education (Mr Davies) said* Tf the Privy Council appeal goes in favour of Mr Lang, then the way will he clear for us to break away from Federal control. I myself will be one of the first to put my weight behind the movement for secession and there are many others in my House with the’same motto. If we win thp appeal, Messrs Bruce and Lyons will throw in the towel immediately. The “Herald” says that in view ot the latest developments in the finanI cial dispute between the Commonwealth and State, it seems that the Lang Ministry has changed its plans. llt is probable that the bill to amend the Audit Act and validate the breaches will not be brought down during ‘the Parliamentarv sittings next week. Drastic financial measures will also be delayed. Ministers hope that tho Privy Council decision on the Upper House abolition will be delivered within a few weeks. It it is, the Government will not resign. If the verdict is deferred for a considerable time, a general election, probably in June, is regarded in political Labour circles as inevitable. Some members of the State Parlia ment drew their salaries from the Treasury. but widows’ pensions mothers’ endowment and civil service pensioners’, superannuation were not paid. The latteY affects about 4000. The Sydney Judges were informed that their pay would be available ht the Treasury on Monday. Members of three loyalist unions have been served with an ultimatum ’ y the Minister of Transport (Mr McGirr) informing them that they must join a “bonafide” union before the end of May. Loyalist leaders stated that tue Minister is attempting to smash f.he*f unions, because railway employees preferred to belong to them instead of tho Trades Hall unions LONDON, April 29. The Privy Council judgment in the New South Wales Legislative Council ease is not expected inside a month N.S.W. INTERNAL INTEREST. MR LANG NOT PAYING. SYDNEY, May 1. It is announced in political circles that Mr Lang intends to default to the extent of two hundred thousand pounds of internal interest falling due or. May 1.