MOST POPULAR FIGURE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 April 1931, Page 5

MOST POPULAR FIGURE.

MR LYONS SPEAKS AT SYDNEY

denunciation of extremist financial policy.

“SORDID SCRAMBLE FOR PLACE AND POWER.”

(By Telegraph— Press Assn.-Copyright ) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Not for many years has a political leader had such a tumultuous reception as that accorded to Mr Lyons by 3500 people who filled every portion of the Sydney Town Hall. About 3000 were unable to gain admission*, and heard the speech through amplifiers outside the hall. , ' . .. Mr Lyons said that the Federal Treasurer, Mr Theodore, apparently contended that the risks of th e Commonwealth Bank’s insolvency and the consequent ruination of its customers should be incurred so that the Government might continue to spend more than it received. The size of the gathering indicated that the conscience of the people was aroused. There was a disorganised rabble in the Labour Party, each faction vicing with th e other in the concoction of more and more fantastic schemes. Its leaders, in time of national peril, had sacrificed the work of reconstruction to a sordid scramble for place and power. He refused to be an accomplice in plans that would lead th e wage-earners into the wilderness of currency inflation. The Government could no more make the demand for excessive financial assistance from the banks than it could demand it individually from private citizens, whose funds the banks were safeguarding. Mr Lyons added that he believed that there should be a sound tariff policy, with effective preference to Great Britain and inter-Dominion reciprocity. The audience repeatedly rorse and cheered him to the echo.