NO ABATEMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 25 February 1931, Page 5

NO ABATEMENT

POLITICAL TURMOIL IN AUSTRALIA SPLIT IN LABOUR RANKS MR LANG’S SPEECH AVALANCHE OF CRITICISM (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright) ’ SYDNEY, 24th February. The political turmoil in Australia shows uo signs of abating. It is most difficult even for those well versed in Labour’s methods to size up the situation correctly. The latest development in the clash between the New South Wales executive and the Federal executive of the Labour Party arising out of the East Sydney by-election and Mr Lang’s resolve to play a lone hand with regard to finance, is a meeting held to-day of certain New South Wales members of the House of Representatives, who expressed determination to take no part in the by-election owing to the spurious issue upon which it is being fought. They are prepared to risk their political fate. On the other hand Mr Kenjieally, president of the Federal executive, is reported as saying that he would recommend the expulsion of those Federal Labour members who do not take part in this campaign. Thus tiic result of the by-election will have an important bearing on future developments in the Labour camp. Sir Lang’s speech last night caused an avalanche of criticism in the press, which 'generally denounces it. Public attention is now focussed on the conference between the bankers and Federal Ministers at Melbourne, which is expected to reach important conclusions on the financial situation.

A message from Hobart states that Mr Lyons and another Tasmanian member, Mr Guy, are in danger of being expelled by the Labour executive, which lias asked them to explain their recent actions in the Federal sphere.

WAGE CUT COURT REFUSES POSTPONEMENT MELBOURNE, 24th February. The Full Arbitration Court disallowed an application on behalf of the Commonwealth Government for an adjournment until the end of .March of the recent 10 per cent, wage cut ordered by that Court. BANKERS ,_ CONFERENCE DECISIONS SENT TO MR SCULLIN MELBOURNE, 24th February. The bankers’ conference has ended. They forwarded a letter to Mr Scullin embodying their conclusions, upon which there is no official statement, but it is understood that they insist on rigid economies in public expenditure, including pensions, and decline to support the Theodore plan for the restoration of 1929 price levels. PUBLIC SERVICEARBITRATOR NEW APPOINTMENT (Received 25tli February. 11.25 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Mr J. C Westhoven, deputy director of postal services, has been appointed Federal Public Service Arbitrator in succession to Mr Atlee Hunt, who retired last year. The position carries a salary of £2OOO. The Arbitrator, has the power to fix the salaries and wages of Federal public servants, overriding the Public Service Commissioner. The appointment is regarded as the result of the Cabinet decision to proceed with salary reductions. The Arbitrator has the status of a Judge. His awards are binding and the Government is relieved of the responsibility of making the reductions.

N.S. WALES POSITION REMOVAL OF MINISTERS GOVERNOR URGED TO TAKE ACTION (Received 25th February, 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. ■ The latest development in the political situation is a political meeting at Dorrigo, which passed a resolution urging the State Governor to exercise his power and dismiss his present advisers as untrustworthy and unworthy of their position. The mover declared: “There is a devilish movement in Australia to upset all that the King stands for.” ENGLAND MR LANG’S SPEECH LONDON, 24th February. Mr Lang’s speech has been extensively featured in England. The “Morning Post’s” financial editor says: “It looks as though the situation were past working up to a political crisis. It would appear as though there would be repudiation of at least some portion of New South Wales interest. Every line of the extravagant speech is to be deprecated. Every line is unfortunately calculated to impair the credit of New South Wales. It must be remembered however, that the Commonwealth is responsible for State as well as Federal loans, and thus there is little doubt that the Commonwealth will see that no pains are spared to carry out to the utmost the obligations of both States and Commonwealth.” . The “Daily Telegraph’s” city editor pays little attention to Mr .Lang’s latest outburst and regards him the mad dog of Australian politics, and refuses to be influenced by the wildest rhetorical excesses. rar . Most Australian stocks advanced 2Us to '6os, while New South Wales sixes advanced £5. , It is believed that the conference ot bankers and the Federal Ministry now sitting at Melbourne will result in some amicable settlement which will restore British investors’ confidence and preserve Australian credit.

FURTHER RECOVERY OF STOCKS

(Received 25th February, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, 24th February. Australian slocks further recovered, dealings recorded being Commonwealthfives ranged 67 to 70; sixes, 74} to 78 Victorian fives, 65; New South Wales threes, 60 to 62}. three and a lialfs 48, five and threequarters 79}, 80; six and a lialfs 70 to 72; Queensland sixes, 75.