OVERSEA DEBTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 9

OVERSEA DEBTS.

MR. LANG'S POLICY.

STRONG DENUNCIATION.

RELIEF JEOPARDISED.

ACTION BY MR. LYONS.

NOTE TO LONDON PRESS.

By Telccrraph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received April 17, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. April 17.

Air. Lang has returned to Sydney from the Premiers' Conference at Melbourne,

and it is stated he docs not intend to return to it.

Despatches from tho Victorian capital state that the Prime Minister, Air. ,T. A. Lyons, has sent a statement to the London press deprecating Mr. Lang's suggestion to withhold overseas interest in order to meet the economic and financial difficulties in Australia. He says the prospect of a general reduction in interest on external debts depends on tho action taken upon an international basis for the relief of debtor countries.

Mr. Lyons says he sincerely hopes the war debts question will be settled at the international conference to bo held in London in June. "Whatever measure of relief is obtained, however, will depend upon how far wo arc able to strengthen our credit," he, says. "Mr. Lang's attitude certainly does not enhance our prospects of relief."

Commenting cm tlio sjjcoc-Ii made by Mr. Lnrig at, the Premiers' Conference, Mr. Lyons said tlio New South Wales Premier was "running true to form." He had burst forth into a speech made up of a tissue of misrepresentation and bitterness. Jhis ivas Mr. Lang's only contribution toward the alleviation of unemployment. Jle had 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 the Arbitration Courts was a sheer fabrication.

" Mr. Lang wants to pay no interest and to spend more borrowed money," said Mr. Lyons. " Obviously ho does not want to relieve unemployment. Ho wants to continue his policy of keeping many of his supporters on full timo work and increasing the ranks of the receivers of the dole until the system breaks down. Then he will bring forward a Socialistic plan. Ho desires to prevent the unemployed from benefiting under the relief loan schemo.

" Mr. Lang's proposals can only bring ruin to tho producers, savings bank depositors. old ago and war pensioners and tho big body of employed and unemployed workers."

ECONOMY PLAN.

ATTITUDE OF STATES. DIVERGENT VIEWS TAKEN. SYDNEY, April Iff. Ihe Melbourne correspondent of tho Sydney Daily Telegraph says Tasmania alone accepted the Premiers' economic plan, subject to reservations, but it is thought South Australia will do the same. Western Australia falls in lino only as far as exchange is concerned.

Mr. Lang and the Victorian delegate, Mr. Tuunecliffe, condemned the proposals and Queensland may he taken as having also decided against them.

FEAR OF STRIFE

GOVERNOR'S ANXIETY. TRADES UNIONS' ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, April 16. Tlie view is expressed by well-informed people that, in the event, of the High Court decifling against llie New South Wales Government, on (he motion to compel the banks to return all Stato moneys paid to the Commonwealth, the Governor, Sir Philip Game, will dissolve the State Parliament. It is believed that the Governor is extremely perturbed at the possibility of a revolution. The trade unions have announced their intention to take, their place " in the tight which is impending," and are accordingly enlisting aid from returned soldiers and placing a united organisation at tho disposal of tho Premier. EXCHANGE ON LONDON. PROPOSAL TO RAISE RATE. BUSINESS MEN OPPOSED. MELBOURNE, April ID. The Melbourne. Chamber of Commerce lias issued a. statement, strongly condemning tho proposal now before the Premiers' Conference to increase the exchange rate on London. VIOTOWAN ELECTION. POLLING .ON MAY 14. M KLLWRNK, April Hi. The Vietnrian Cabinet- has fixed May 14 as the date for the general election. UPL'EIt HOUSE CASK. PRIVY COUNCIL HEARING. LONDON", April 10. The appeal of the New South Wales Government to the Privy Council in connection with the abolition of the Upper House was adjourned until Monday after Sir I\. Stafford Cripps, for the appellants, had finished his address to the Judges, lie had spoken for 13 hours.