NEW PARTY LEADER

Inangahua Times, 22 April 1932, Page 4

NEW PARTY LEADER

MR BAVIN’S SUCCESSOR METEORIC POLITICAL CARET R

Sydney 7 h April Mr B. S. Stevens, who his been >e~ lected »s the new leader ot the Par'i ’ mentary Branch of the United Australia Party in New South Wales, and bids lair to become the next Premier of this troubled Sia’e, has had a meteoi c political career, for he was first elected to the State Hoose only five years ago. He can also be described as one of the arch enemies of the present P emie-, Mr Laog. the enmity dating bark o the lime when Mr S evens was I rector of State Finances and permanent bead 10l the Treasury. When he o oupiert I those positions under Mr B rio, Mr | Stevens car led out some impo' ant reI organ sations that did not meet with I ibn appiov I of Mr Lang. Ever vindic- | live, Mr Lang made Mr Stevens a I (narked man, and when Mr Lang was I re'urned to power Mr Stevens fores ail* led any act on that might have been I taken agairst him byresigning. Mr Stevens went into business in the I city as a public accountant, hu was in I tavour of po itic', and when he first I stood for Cmydon he w»s e ec ed by an I overwhelming majority. He was made | assistant-Tieasurer in the last Bavin I Administration, and later Treasurer. I lit has a remark.b'e grip on the financ les of New South Wales, muddled as [ they are, and all along be has been a I tborn in Mr Lang's s ; de. He has provII ed himself a dour fi.h'er in other direc

lltions as well, and has been particularly 11 bitter on the present administration, 1| particularly in its dealings with mechs 1 1 anical bare racing. |l Mr Stevens was born in Sydney, and 11 is a man of tireless energy and a keen 11 debater. Since Mr Bavin, on account 11 o( iil-bealth, hat been unable to carry 11 out bis duties as leader, most Of the |ll work of that ofice has fallen on Mr 9 | Stevens, and he has done well. It was H | a foregone conclusion that be would be ™ | selected, but there are many who regret ■ | that the party has taken a leaf from the 11 Labour book and relegated to the rank ■ | and file the task of selecting the Cabi. [B | net. 1 bis amounts to caucus rule, the ■ I evi’s of which have been well exempli. B | Bed by the Labour Party. It is hoped U | that Mr Stevens will be able to do II | more than his predecessor in the direcII | tion of cementing the non.Labour 11 elements in New South Wales. The fl | Country Party is still inclined to take | a selfish view of limes.