LANG’S POLICY

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

LANG’S POLICY

“CIVIL WAR A POSSIBILITY” NEWSPAPER’S ASSERTION REFERENCE IN PARLIAMENT (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, 29tli February. In the Legislative Assembly to-day the Nationalist member, Mr Jarvie, directed Mr Lang’s attention to an editorial in the “Sydney Morning Herald” which stated: “If Mr Lang persists in bis mad course of repudiation and secession there is a possibility that civil war may result.” Mr Jarvie asked whether the Premier would take steps to purge the good name of New South Wales.

Mr Kelly, Labourite, on the same matter asked whether the Premier would consider the desirability of suppressing newspapers which maligned the Government and members of the House.

Replying, Mr Lang said that leading articles in a journal owned by a millionaire named Fairfax did not disturb him in the slightest. Ho added: “This State is in a parlous condition because of Nationalist rule. The railways do not pay, partly because of the concessions to newspapers carried on the railways. I intend to look into that aspect and if the newspapers continue to disparage and defame the Government and country we shall in due course take steps to deal with them.” Replying to another question by the Labourite Mr Stuart Robertson, who said that another part of the “Herald” editorial referred to a possible financial revolution, and to the fact that farmers in the North were organising with a possible call to arms, Mr Lang said that should the “Herald” or any other newspaper succeed in causing a rebellion members could accept his assurance that “we are in a position to manage and suppress it. Such propaganda is bound to recoil on the heads of the authors.” (Opposition laughter). He said he was quite aware that steps were being taken by those opposed to Labour to resort to force. An ex-member of the House was one of the organisers, lie was also informed that an. organisation was already formed in Victoria and South Australia, and that these people were armed. Consequently if an attempt weve made to do this the New South Wales Government would not stand idly by, but would certainly deal with them. . A member: “Bring oui your Communists.” Mr Lang: “I will show them that the laws are just as sacred when Labour is in power as when anti-Labour is in office.” “HERALD’S” REPLY

FEAR OF GRAVE TROUBLE (Received 20th February. 11.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The “Herald,” replying to Mr Lang editorially, says that there was nothing in the article complained of which could be interpreted as inciting to civil war, but it was true that civil war as a possibility arising out of Mr Lang’s policy of repudiation, and implied secession, is in the minds of many thoughtful people, who fear there is a serious risk thereof i if the present Labour Government drives the majority of the population of New South Wales to desperation. “If violence comes.” the “Herjald” says, “it will not be due to the majority of honest citizens who oppose Mr Lang, but through the exacerbated fury of ! his own followers, who will find themselves duped by his promises and foiled in their senseless selfish shortsighted purposes. Just as . a collision may be inevitable on a railway through disregarding signals, so the trend of Mr Lang’s policy is moving the people to expressions of alarm, and definite discussions are arising out of the anxiety. This is a fact, and we do not need to include in the comment extremists in rival camps who would welcome trouble for opportunities of personal aggrandisement. and making political capital. At the moment it is enough to say that fear of grave trouble is in men’s minds, because secessions in history have been a fruitful cause of domestic conflict. We refuse to believe that the worst will happen,- if the best elements get together and work harmoniously for the State. Brazen promises unfulfilled and never intended to be fulfilled have lei us into a slough of despond in which we are struggling. Reaction thereto promises safety not in civil war but in wholehearted co-operation to make Mr Lang’s continued tenure of office impossible.”