FIFTEEN HUNDRED POLICE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6809, 16 March 1932, Page 7

FIFTEEN HUNDRED POLICE

To Guard Lang al Bridge Opening

FEARS FOR CLASH IN SYDNEY

United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—CopyrigTit. SYDNEY, Macrh 15.

Tho Telegraph says nearly half the numerical strongth of the New South Wales police force, some fifteen hundred men, will be on special duty on Saturday • when the bridge is opened. The authorities will be fully prepared in the event of trouble. Nearly five hundred police will be on' duty on the bridge itself. The official dais will be closely guarded with a large squad of plain clothes officers watching over Mr Lang, and mounted troopers will be held in readiness.

The New Guard threatened some time ago that Mr Lang would nevei be allowed to open the new bridge, and it is against any action in that direction that tho precautions arc being taken. A clash is also feared between the Now Guard and the Labour Defence Army and this has moved the Federal Government to issue a warning against the continuance of these bodies’ drilling activities.

Lang’ is Defiant DARES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO ITS WORST Received Tuesday, 11.30 p.m. SYDNEY, March 15. In the Assembly the Premier, Mr. J. T. Lang, in the course of a ministerial statement on the Financial Agreement Enforcement Act, said he had it on the best legal authority that this Act was invalid, and its invalidity was well known to the Commonwealth Government. Dramatically ho warned the Federal Prime Minister that if the Commonwealth peace officers attempted to usurp the functions of the New South Wales police force they would find themselves in the same position as any other body that attempted to usurp the functions of the State Government. He added that the Commonwealth’s invalid Act was designed to oppress New South Wales and deprive tho State of its money, leave it without a penny piece and hold up essential services, thereby deposing the Government. Such a course would undoubtedly lead to conflict, turmoil and disorder, for which the Commonwealth would be directly responsible. “It will not collect one penny piece from New South Wales, and it can go straight ahead with its police force for the suppression of imaginary drillings and armings in this State.” Early Settlement Will Oblige INTEREST BILL OF £830,000. LANG WAITING FOR HIGH COURT DECISION CANBERRA, March 15. ’ A last appeal to Mr Lang to remit the interest in which he has defaulted, standing at £830,000, is nuide in a letter posted to him by Mr Lyons. Though Parliament meets to-day, the proposed resolutions under Section G of tho Financial Agreement Enforcement Act, declaring the urgency of payment, will not be introduced until AVednesday—presumably to allow time for Mr Lang to take advantage of the final opportunity for a voluntary settlement. Mr Lyons has received Mr Lang’s telegram beseeching the Commonwealth Government to withhold any action until the High Court has decided as to tho legality of tho Act. Mr Lyons refused to make any comment. Lang Appeals to High Court Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. SYDNEY, March 15. It is reported that the State Government intends without delay to institute a High Court action to test the legality of the Financial Agreement Enforcement Act, which has been passed by the Federal House, and to seek an injunction restraining the Commonwealth At-torney-General from putting the Act into effect.

Petition for Lang’s Removal DOUBTS OF SUCCESS IN BRITAIN. IMPORTANT PRECEDENT INVOLVED LONDON, March 14. The Sun-Hcrakl service says it is difficult to see how the petition for the removal of Air Lang from the N.S.W. Premiership can meet with any response here. The decision obviously rests with His Alajesty and liis intimate advisers apart from the British Cabinet, and upon confidential cpmmunications between His Alajesty and Sir Philip Game, Governor of New South Wales. The real issue may hinge on the precedent which would be created if Air Lang were removed.