"True to Form”

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6836, 18 April 1932, Page 7

"True to Form”

Lyons and Lang TISSUE OF MISREPRESENTATION AND BITTERNESS United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. MELBOURNE, April 1(5. Commenting on Mr Lang’s speech at the Premiers’ Conference, Mr Lyons said that Mr Lang was running true to form. He had burst forth with a speech made up of a tissue of misre presentation and bitterness. This was his only contribution towards the alleviation of unemployment. He had left for Sydney casting aside all semblance of British honesty and square dealing and coming out in his true colours, llis statement about the proposed abolition of the Arbitration Courts was a sheer fabrication.

“Lang wants to pay no interest and spend more borrowed money, ” the Prime Minister continued. “He obviously does not want, to relieve unemploy meat. He wants to continue liis policy of keeping many of his supporters on full time works and increasing the ranks of dole receivers until the system breaks down, when he will bring forward a Socialistic plan. lie desire.; to prevent the unemployed from ber.efitting under the relief loan scheme. “Lang’s proposals can only bring ruin to producers, savings banks do nositors, old ago and war pensioners, and a big body of employed and unemployed workers.

iang Would Suspend Interest Payments “NOT AN UNFAIR REQUEST.” MELBOURNE, April 16. The keynote of Mr Lang’s speech at the Premiers’ Conference was the meed for the suspension of overseas interest payments. He said: “In our present desperate straits it is not ail unfair request to w"'-'' I am reliably informed that if it were it would be granted. I warn the Governments in all that if they attempt to put this wage cut plan into operation they will continue as Governments only with the aid of the policeman’s baton. Twelve months ago the expert; told us their plan would be the salvation of Australia. I questioned thei' prediction, and here wo are to-day as badly off debating another plan which is aimed at doing the same thing. Twelve months hence probably another plan will be trotted out to correct mow* unexpected factors, and so the fare; will continue indefinitely. The Labour mnvmnn-w Now South Wales will have nothing to do with a Gipsy mod 1 ; of living, but the last thing it cxpecte l of its fellow Australians was that the people of the Commonwealth should be asked to work for their keep, which is the underlying principle of the experts plan.” Mr Lang emphasised Mint the £36. 000,000 which was ordinarily sent abroad for interest should be kept here to provide jobs for the workless, whose desperate plight was being used to smash wages, industrial conditions and federation.

“The Fight Which is Impending” STATE GOVERNOR PERTURBED AT POSSIBILITIES. LABOUR UNIONS ENLISTING AID OF RETURNED SOLDIERS SYDNEY, April 16. In the event of the High Court deciding against the New South Wales Government on the motion to compel the banks to pay all the State moneys to the Commonwealth, the Governor (Sir Philip Game) will dissolve the State Parliament. This view is express cd by well informed people. It is believed that the Governor is extremely perturbed at the possibility of a revolution, trade unions having announced (heir intention to take their place “in Hie. fight which is impending,” and cordially enlisting aid from returned soldiers and placing the united organisations at the disposal of the Premier.

Economic Plan Meets Poor Response EASTERN STATES DEFINITELY OPPOSED TO IT. SYDNEY, April 16. The Telegraph’s Melbourne corressdo.lident says that Tasmania alone has accepted the Economic Plan, subject to reservations, and it is thought that South Australia will do the same. Western- Australia, falls in line only as far as exchange is concerned. Mr Lang and the Victorian delegate, Mr Tunnicliffe, have condemned the proposals, and Queensland may bo taken- as having also decided against it.

Injurious Effect in London Received Sunday, 9.5 p.m. SYDNEY, April 17. Mr. Lang has returned to Sydney from the Premiers’ Conference at Melbourne. It is stated that he docs not intend to return to Melbourne. The Federal Prime Minister has sent a statement to the London press deprecating Mr. Lang’s suggestion to withhold overseas interest in order to meet his economic and financial difficulties. Ho points out that the prospect of a general reduction in interest on external debts depends on action taken upon an international basis for the relief of debtor countries. He sincerely hopes that the war debts question will bo settled at the international confcronco being held in London in Juno.

Whatever measure of relief is obtained, however,” he says, "will depend upon how far wo are able to strengthen our credit. Mr. Lang’s attitude will not enhance our prospects of relief.”