AUSTRALIAN PROBLEM

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 280, 27 October 1931, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN PROBLEM

FINDING WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S COOPERATION. QUARTER OF A MILLION GRANT. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received October 27, 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 27. The Prime Minister, Mr J. H. Scullin, announced to-day that the Federal Government was anxious to co-operate with the captains of industry in finding work for as many men as possible before Christmas. Mr Scullin said that ho had discussed the question with business men in Sydney, and he intimated that the Government was prepared to provide £250,000.

TRANSPORT BOARD’S LEVY

SYDNEY, Oct. 26. The Transport Board’s levy of a penny a section is expected to result in a stoppage of the services on 19 out of 27 motor-bus routes radiating from Parramatta. SWAMPING PLAN. NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The New South Wales Labour Government is still in a quandary in regard to the Legislative Council, which the Premier (Mr Lang) regards, with some justification, no doubt, as his bitterest enemy (writes a Sydney correspondent). It lias certainly saved the people of the State from any wildcat scheme that could have ended only in disaster for everyone, the Government itself. The Parliament has gone into a brief recess after sitting tor months on end, and the agitation among Labour supporters for the swamping of the Upper House with true-blue Labour men has been renewed. This would have been done long ago if the Governor (Sir Philip Game) had not stood in the way, and there is nothing, to indicate that lie is likely to change his mind. Everywhere lie goes the Governor receives a most flattering reception, and this must inako him feel that lie has the support of the people. It lias been urged upon Mr Lang that lie should point out to the Governor that the Government has completely lost control of business in the Upper House. It is considered that the reaction of vital clauses in the Milk Bill, which was intended to revolutionise the distribution of milk in the city of Sydney, the delay in the passage of the Arbitration Amendment Bill containing so many principles dear to the heart of Labour, and the rejection of the measure that would have permitted gambling on greyhound racing after tin hares are sufficient reasons why the Governor should agree to swamp the Chamber. The problem is not nearly so simple as it may seem after a study of these facts. All along the tactics of the Conned have been superior to those employed by Mr Lang, and he is regarded as a past-master in political tactics, it would be quite an easy matter to point out to the Governor that the Labour Government is not without support in the Upper House. For instance, the Council has passed the farreaching Transport Co-ordinating Bill, and also agreed to tlio measure increasing tlio child endowment tax. Both these Bills were opposed by the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. Sir Philip Game might reply that there is ample evidence that the Ministry has ample support in the Council. No doubt Mr Lang has realised the hopelessness of again appealing to the Governor. It is likely that he will delay any action until the Privy Council decides what the fate of the Chamber is to be. If the Government wins the case, soon to bo argued, tlio Legislative Council will go out of existence immediately. It lias already signed its own death warrant. If tlie Government loses the appeal, then a referendum will he necessary.