Making N.S.W. Pay

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6788, 20 February 1932, Page 5

Making N.S.W. Pay

Measure Introduced in Federal Parliament

IMMEDIATE PASSAGE ASSURED

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Saturday, 1.30 p.in. CANBERRA, Feb. 19.

As the Fcdoral Labour Party, as w r cll as the Country Party, give the Government’s Financial Agreement Enforcement Bill the fullest support, the immediate passage of the measure is assured. Any attempt at obstruction will probably only be supported by the Beasley group of live. The Government, however, realises that this by r.o means spells the simple ending of the difficulties, legal and constitutional, which must bo faced.

For the first time since the Federation the Bill claims the right to exercise powers by the Commonwealth that were never previously regarding as coming within the ambit of Federal administration.

The Ministerialists welcome the measure chiefly as aa indication that the Federal Govc’-nmcnt is determined to act firmly to end the present situation in rela-'on to the Commonwealth and New South Wales. Explaining the Bill in the House of Representatives, Mr. Latham (Attor-ney-General) reviewed the occasions on which Mr. Lang had defaulted. This Bill aimed at enforcing obligations already existing. He said that when the financial agreement between the State premiers was drafted, this sort of thing on the part of New South Wales was foreseen; accordingly, very special power was conferred upon the Commonwealth. The Government of New South Wales had adopted a deliberate policy or practice of making agreements where benefit could bo obtained and breaking them whenever it suited them. Mr. Latham spoke of the seriousness of default and was subjected to interruption by the Beasley faction. The debate was adjourned until Wednesday. Senator Rao (Labour) bitterly attacked the Commonwealth Government in the Senate. He said New South Wales would not submit much longer to tyranny and would tako positive steps to secede from the Commonwealth. He declared that instead of New South Wales living upon the smaller States, as was generally supposed, the smaller States wero living upon New South Wales.

The Federal action against the New South Wales Government was the mam topic of conversation in tho city today. . ,

The Sun newspaper, in an editorial, concluded: “The community wonders whether it is now seeing the real objective of tho notorious Lang plan, which flowered in falsity and seems likely to bear its fruit in destruction and disaster."

Mr. Lang declined to comment on the Federal. Government’s move, but it is understood that ho is taking legal advice.