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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 5

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N.S. WALES PUBLIC SERVANTS

23,000 AFFECTED ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FOR SALARY REDUCTIONS (United PreßS Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, 6th August. It was stated to-day that police pay has also been withheld, bringing the total public service salaries deferred to £270,000. In addition to police and gaol warders 11,000 school teachers were unpaid to-day, hut thousands of tram drivers, conductors and railwaymen received their pay. Somebody hoisted a flag at half-mast over the Treasury buildings, hut it was later hauled clown and remained down. Approximately 23,000 members of the public service did not receive any pay to-day. Tho Assembly having rejected the Legislative Council’s amendment to the Public Services Salaries Reduction Bill, and also refused,to confer with the council upon the subject, the Premier announced to-night that as a result of a conference of Treasury officials in the afternoon lie was hopeful that “reasonable” alternative proposals covering salary reductions would be evolved late to-night and would he submitted to Cabinet to-morrow, and later to Parliament. Mr Lang expressed the hope that the impasse would he overcome by the week-end. It is understood that these fresh proposals provide reductions less severe upon lower paid employees, hut rather steeper oil higher officials. IN THE ASSEMBLY

STATEMENTS BY PREMIER SYDNEY, 6th August. Replying to questions in the Assembly to-dav Mr Lang said that the Government would not depart from its policy of protecting the lowest paid workers. He would not accept the Legislative Council’s amendment to the Salaries Reduction Bill. Mr Lang assured tho Leader of t.lie Opposition, who asked many questions about the failure to pay public servants, that there was no need to stampede the people. He added : “If they keep their heads all these difliculties will solve themselves in a day or two. Continuing lie said: “It seems to me that there is a war of attrition going on against the poorly paid, and , the Government lias got to resist it.” Mr Lang, at another stage, again attacked the Legislative Council. Ho declared that New South Vales no longei possessed self-government, hut was reduced to the status of a Crown colony with tho Government acting only in an advisory capacity. The Government s measures'were not accepted unless they were in conformity with 'the views ot other people. Thus Labour leaueis would have to tell the people it was no use trying to get legislation through by eonstiiutional action. , An Opposition membor interjected : “Is that a suggestion or a threat? Mr Lang replied: “It is a lact. APPEAL FOR FUNDS

LOAN COUNCIL MARKING TIME

MELBOURNE, fltli August.

The Loan Council is marking time with regard to Mr Lang’s request for £500,000, awaiting his practical compliance with the conditions of the Melbourne agreement.

BREAD WAR

A DRAMATIC TURN FLOUR COMMANDEERED SYDNEY, 6th August. Tim bread war took a dramatic turn to-day, when after Cabinet had considered the situation arising out of the stoppage of flour supplies for bakeries co-oporuting with Shauler’s Limited, the holders of the Government contract toi the supply of dole or relief broad, a proclamation was issued authorising the commandeering of supplies under the Flour Acquisition Act. Sixty-three trucks carrying nearly 1000 tons of flour awaiting shipment to the East were subsequently seized at Darling harbour. Millers are incensed, as the interruption of regular supplies to Java and other Eastern markets is likely to endanger future orders, and benefit Victorian millers between whom and the Now South Wales millers there is the keenest rivalry for this trade.

GOVERNOR WINS

CONSTITUTIONAL DISPUTE

(Received 7th August, 0.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day,

The “Telegraph” says that little doubt exists now that Mr Lang’s efforts to secure the intervention of the Dominions Office in the constitutional situation have failed completely. He has been told in etl’eet that the Governor is entitled to use his discretion in regard to appointments to the Legislative Council.