AFRAID OF MR LANG.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 257, 29 September 1932, Page 7

AFRAID OF MR LANG.

OBEDIENT FOLLOWERS. ABSENCE FROM A PARTY. The hand of friendship which was extended recently by the Premier of New South Wales, Mr Stevens, to members of Parliament of all parties and to their wives or nearest female relatives was disregarded by Mr Lang and liis followers. The latter did not dare to accept the invitation, says a Sydney correspondent. They. declined obediently as on any other occasion when it was expected that they might indicate that they were s eparate entities possessing independent impulses. They seemed to be enslaved to their chief.

The occasion was a party at Parliament House given by the Premier and his wife. There was a good assemblage of members of both houses, but only two Labour members were noticeable. They were not both of Mr Lang’s party. Mr Concannon, the leader of the Lang Labour Party in the Legislative Council, who had a gruelling time during the recent session, was one. He is on friendly terms with many opponents. Mr J. F. Coates, the leader of the Federal Labour Party in the Legislative Council, who has nothing venomous ill his nature, was tlio other Labour member present. There was a time when the close of a session was marked by h gathering of all parties for a convivial evening, but that, too, is forbidden to members of the Lang party..