LANG'S SPEECH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 16 April 1932, Page 7

LANG'S SPEECH

AT PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE : ' OVERSEA INTEREST PAYMENT SUSPENSION ADVOCATED (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyi ight) AIELBOURNE, 15th April. The keynote of Air Lang’s speech at tlie Premiers’ Conference was the need for the suspension of oversea interest payment. He said: “In our present desperate straits it is not an unfair request to make. I was reliably, informed that if made it would be granted. I warn the governments in all seriousness that .. if they attempt to put this wage, cut plan into operation they will continue as Governments only with the aid of the policeman’s baton. Twelve months ago. experts told us their plan would be tjie salvation of Australia. I questioned their prediction, and here we are to-day as badly off as ever, debating another plan which is aimed at doing the same thing. Twelve months hence probably another plan will be trotted out to correct more unexpected factors, and so the farce will continue indefinitely. The Labour movement in New South Wales will have nothing to do with the gypsy mode of living, but the least it expected from fellow-Anstralians was that the people of the Commonwealth should be asked to work for their keep, which is. , the underlying principle of the experts report.” Mr Lang emphasised that £36,000,000 “which was ordinarily sent abroad for interest should be kept here to provide - jobs for the workless, whose desperate plight was being used to smash wages, industrial conditions, and the Federation.” The Premiers of Western Australia and Queensland, while desirous of making tlie rehabilitation plan a success, expressed opposition to a flat rate re'duction pi wages, which was likely to lead to further hardship. , The conference adjourned till Alonday. ; . . v:. ]> “TRUE COLOURS” SCATHING COMMENT ON SPEECH (Received 16th April, 9.40 a.m.) .. MELBOURNE, This Day. 1 Commenting on Air Lang’s speech atthe Premiers’ Conference,. Mr Lyons said: “Air Lang was running true to form. lie burst forth with a speech made up of a tissue of misrepresentation and bitterness. This was Ins, only corny tribution towards the alleviation of unemployment. He left for Sydney casting aside all . semblance of British honesty . and square dealing, and coming out in his true colours. His statement about the proposed abolition of Arbitration Courts .was a sheer fabrication. Mr “ Lang wants to pay no interest, and spend more borrowed money. He obviously does not want to relieve unemployment. He wants to continue his policy of keeping many of his supporters on full time works, and increasing tlie ranks of dole receivers until the system breaks down, when lie will bring forW! ud a socialistic plan. He desires to prevent the unemployed from benefiting under the relief loan scheme. Mr Lang s proposals can only bring ruin to the Producers’ Savings Bank depositors, old a<re and war pensioners, and tlie big body of unemployed and unemployed workers.” ECONOMIC PLAN ATTITUDE OF STATES (Received 16th April, 9.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. • The Sydney “Telegraph’s” Melbourne correspondent says that Tasmania alone has.accepted the economic plan, subject, to reservations, and it is thought that South Australia, will do the same. Wes--tern Australia falls in line _only as .far - ; as exchange is concerned. Mr Lang and q the Victorian delegate, Air Tunmclifte, y Condemned the proposal, and Queensland may.-be taken as having also cle- - cided against it. v’