Lang's Heroics

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6622, 7 August 1931, Page 7

Lang's Heroics

GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN FOR THE POORLY-PAID

SYDNEY, Aug. 6. Replying to questions in the Assembly to-day, Mr. Lang said the Government would not depart from its policy of protecting the lowest-paid workers. He would not accept the Legislative Council’s amendment to the Salaries Reduction Bill. Mr. Lang assured the leader of the Opposition, who asked many questions about the failure to pay the public servants, that there wa-s no need to stampede the people. He added: “If they keep their heads, all these difficulties will solve themselves in a day or two.” Continuing, he said: “It seems to rne there is a war of attrition going on against the poorly-paid, and the Government has got to resist it.” Mr. Lang at another stage again attacked the Legislative Council. He declared that New South Wales no longer possessed self-government, but was reduced to the status of a Crown Colony, with the Government acting only in an advisory capacity. '. The Government’s measures were not accepted unless they wore in conformity with the views of other people. Thus the Labour leaders would have to tell the people it was no use trying to get legislation through by constitutional action. An Opposition member interjected: “Is that a threat?” Mr. Lang replied: “It is a fact.”