State in a Muddle

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6837, 19 April 1932, Page 7

State in a Muddle

Government’s Cheques Being Rejected LANG MAY DEFAULT IN INTERNAL AS WELL AS OUTSIDE INTEREST CLIMAX EXPECTED THIS WEEK. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, April IS. Owing to the terrible muddle into which tho New South Wales finances have drifted in consequence of the Commonwealth’s blockade and the lack of banking facilities, Mr Lang, as Treasurer, will have his hands pretty full during the coming week, in finding a new way out of the impasse. The Government’s cheques are being rejected in all parts of the State, and bitter complaints arc being made by those who have any business with the Government. Further Federal action is now tem porariiy hold up by to-day’s application by Mr Lang to the High Court for an injunction jestrainiing the banks from fulfilling the Commonwealth attachment of the State deposits. There are also critical developments which may force drastic action outside the ambit of Federal activity. It is authoritatively stated that the Premier will default in internal as well as external interest. A climax is expocted this week, when the Privy Council’s decision regarding the question of abolition of the Legislative Council is anticipated. It is expected that this will lately transform the present outlook, Mr Lang’s place at the Melbourne conference on unemployment is to be filled by Mr Davidson, Minister of Public Works.

Supine Surrender to Immoral Politicians PEEACHEE’S DEFENCE OF NEW GUARD SYDNEY, April IS. •At the Pitt Street Congregational Church, the Eev. T. E. Ruth gave au address on “The Police and the New Guard.” He asked: “It - it is the duty of the police to obey the orders of a corrupt government, what then —7 The police are all right, but their masters, with their warped idea of justice, their arena rent protection of Communists, tlieir animosity to loyalists, their Soviet legislation, their tin hare scandals, and their policy of default and repudiation —these political masters of the police —I say, are all wrong. The right of criticism is necessary to public morality. It is a common right, and if the police are employed by their masters to destroy it, it must be guarded by others. For months I have been amazed at the supine surrender by the citizens of this State to a series of immoral political actions.” Mr Ruth concluded: “There is sufficient man-power in the New Guard, if consecrated to the cause of Christ and the cause of the State, to save New South Wales.”

Another Blow for Lang WELL LOSE SHARE OP UNEMPLOYMENT LOAN. Received Monday, 9.10 p.m. MELBOURNE, April 18. The Premiers’ Conference passed a resolution affirming adherence to the Premiers’ rehabilitation plan and undertaking to meet interest obligations and continue progressively to reduce the Budget' deficits. Mr. Tumiicliffe, acting Labour Premier of Victoria, was a dissentient. He refused to he hound by the plan except as to meeting interest obligations which was endorsed. by his Government. He considered there should be a modification of the original plan. The conference decided, in view of Mr. Lang’s attitude, to cut off New South Wales’ share of the loan money for unemployment.

The Price of State Ownership COLOSSAL DEFICIT ON AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. Received Monday, 9.50 p.m. SYDNEY, April 18. The total deficit of the Governmentowned railways in Australia for the current financial year is estimated at £8,000,000 which is about. £2,500,000 less than last year.

Judgment Reserved Received Monday, 7.0 pan. The High Court has reserved judgment on the New South Wales application for a certificate for leave to appeal to the Privy Council against the majority judgment of the High .Court upholdiug the validity of the Financial Agreement Enforcement Act.