SCUILLIN OR LYONS?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 5

SCUILLIN OR LYONS?

PENDULUM SWINGING HOPELESS CONFUSION AMONGST LABOUR RANK AND FILE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CANBERRA, 19th February. It was learned to-day that Mr Lyons, former Postmaster-General and ActingTreasurer, is prepared to bring about tlie downfall of the Sculliu Government if it persists with Mr Theodore’s financial plan. Press lobbyists say that the pendulum is swinging Mr Lyons’s way, but the rank and file of the party are in such a hopeless state of confusion that they do not know which way to turn or what to do next. Mr Sculliu, in the meantime, remains silent and cannot be induced to comment on the outlook.

THEODORE’S PLAN APPROVED BY CAUCUS CANBERRA, 19th February. A resolution was carried by the Federal Caucus to-day approving of Mr 'Theodore’s financial plan as follows: “That this party approves of the Commonwealth Government continuing negotiations with the banks on the lines laid down by the Prime Minister and Mr Theodore, and in the event of these negotiations failing, the Government is hereby instructed to proceed to secure legislative power to give effect to the party’s platform with regard to banking and currency.” This plank aims at the nationalisation of banking.

INSTRUCTIONS DEFIED BY FEDERAL LABOUR MEMBERS CANBERRA, 19th February. A special meeting of the New South Wales Federal Labour members was held to-day at which it was decided by a large majority to disregard the instructions of the State-Labour executive that they should help in the East Sydney by-eiection campaign embracing Mr Lang’s repudiation policy. The Federal Labour caucus this afternoon carried a motion supporting Mr Theodore’s financial proposals.

RED ELEMENT ACTIVITIES AT SYDNEY ATTEMPT TO FOMENT REVOLT SYDNEY, 19th February. Amid uproarious scenes the congress of the Australian Council of Trades Unions to-day decided to send a delegation to Canberra to demand that the Federal Government immediately declare “a state of national emergency.” Messrs Chapman, Douglas, Crofts, Hoare and Garden comprise the delegation. They will endeavour to compel the Government to take action along tlie lines of Mr Garden’s amendments mainly to prevent the 10 per cent, wage cut. . j - An extremely ugly situation developed outside the congress meeting place at Sydney Trades Hall, tlie Red element chalking the footpath with inflammatory appeals to precipitate a revolt and making many. unsuccessful attempts to gain admission. Finally the police were compelled to arrest three of. the ringleaders. The proposal for a general strike has been temporarily shelved.

“RED ARMY” RE-FORMED SYDNEY UNEMPLOYED SYDNEY, 19th February. A large number of unemployed met at the. Trades Hall to-day and reformed the Workers’ Defence otherwise the “Red Army.” The speakers emphasised , the need for readiness owing to the receipt of information that the capitalist class was arming to defend their wealthy possessions. STORM WILL SURPRISE WORLD MR GARDEN’S PREDICTION (Received 20th February, 11.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Mr Garden, addressing the A.C.T.U. Congress, declared that neither he nor Mr Lang had any faith in Mr Scqllin, Mr Theodore, or their supporters, who were neither bold nor courageous. The time had come for all workers to rally to tire banner which must inevitably strike at tire heart of tire existing financial machine. He felt sure that the present situation was only a lull before tho storm, which would be of such a nature as to surprise the world A delegate from Melbourne exclaimed that the proclamation of a state of national emergency would cause an uprising of Nationalists, who were ready with arms and ammunition to defend the capitalist class.

IMPRISONED COMMUNISTS RELEASE DEMANDED (Received 20th February, 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The A.C.T.U. lias decided to demand the release of the Communists recently imprisoned in connection with the outrage on a house at Clovclly; also to protest to tbe Federal Government in support of Malay and Japanese divers on the pearling grounds who are desiring to preserve their living conditions and would have to face dismissal on Saturday.

WAR DEBTS LONDON COMMENTS LONDON, 19th February. The “Financial News” says that Australian stocks were depressed by renewed declarations that Mr Lang favours a reduction of interest payments. Fortunately the exchange position has not become worse. If anything the pressure on the outside market lias diminished and rates have lately fallen to within one half to one per cent, of the official rates.

The “Financial Times” reviews the circumstances of Australia’s war debt. It says that the idea that the burden of repayment is onerous has been deliberately and maliciously fostered by extremists in support of their general campaign for debt repudiation. The

outcry against the alleged severity of the terms is belated, and based on the most insecure foundation. Overseas liabilities are largely a matter of contract between the Commonwealth or States and the individual investor. Tlie Imperial Government might he able to lessen Australia’s difficulties, hut it must be recognised that should any amelioration prove possible it would needs he on the ground of sympathy, not right.

The editorial concludes that other debtor dominions might consider themselves aggrieved by exclusion from similar privileged treatment.