LANG AND COMMONWEALTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 9

LANG AND COMMONWEALTH.

MELBOURNE CONFERENCE.

DECISIONS HOTLY OPPOSED.

WAGE CUTS DENOUNCED.

DENIAL OF NECESSITY.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received April 21. 11.55 p.m.) SYDNEY. April 21

Several- thousand supporters of the Premier of New South Wales, Mr. Lang, marched in procession from industrial suburbs of Sydney this evening and gathered inside and outside the lown Hall to hear his speech in vindication of his attitude at the recent Premiers' Conference at Melbourne.

Mr. Lang claimed that the Premiers' plan adopted by the conference amounted to a brazen attempt to destroy the States by reducing wages and to enable ' the Commonwealth, which had control of the credit system, to "jockey" New South Wales out of its share of the money made available by the banks to the various Governments.

The whole aim of the conference, Mr. Lang asserted, was to reduce wages 40 per cent., take the workers' shillings for tho payment of overseas interest and turn back the clock to the period when it was laid down that the minimum wage should be sufficient to provide tho worker with the bare necessities of life.

Amid loud cheers Mr. Lang declared: "I say now that there is 110 necessity, and never will be, to enslave the people of Australia in the way provided for at the recent conference at Melbourne." A resolution was carried by Mr. Lang's supporters pledging themselves to stand solidly behind him and the New South Wales Government in their fight "to prevent the degradation of the standard of living of tho people of Australia," and against the "attacks of financial interests."

The resolution declared that in his determination to place men before muney Mr. Lang was right.

"EEBEL GOVERNMENT."

DR. PAGE'S DENUNCIATION.

FEDERAL ACTION URGED.

SYDNEY. April 21

! In a broadcast speech the leader of the Federal Country Party, Dr. Earle Page, said it was the first duty of the i Commonwealth Government to bring to i an end the dishonest and rebel Governi incnt in New South Wales. R .I lie I*ed- ; oral Financial Agreement Enforcement I Act did not make the State honest — it simply collected a fine from a coni victed criminal. i Unless, the Commonwealth gave tho lead countrymen in New South AVales would be forced to create Governments which would obey Federal law. i 1 UNEMPLOYED BELIEF. MONEY FOR THE STATES. NEW SOUTH WALES EXCLUDED. MELBOURNE. April 21. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons announced that definite plans have, been made, for the raising of £3.000.000 to alleviate unemployment during tho j winter. He. says authority has been ' given by the Loan Council for ca<-h State | on its own responsibility to raise money. The exception js New South Wales, but i if this State is prepared to give an i assurance that it. also will honour the. Premiers' Plan, a similar authority will be given. CHILD ENDOWMENT. NO MONEY AVAILABLE. PAYMENTS SUSPENDED. SYDNEY. April 21. The fortnightly child endowment, payments are due to-morrow, but it is learned that no payments will be made in consequence of the New South Wales Government having no banking facilities for the issue of cheques. There are about 60.000 persons throughout the State entitled to the endowment, which amounts to about £70.000 a fortnight. PETITION TO KING. DOCUMENT IN LONDON. A DISSOLUTION WANTED. LONDON, April 20. j The petition of the New Guard praying that His Majesty, through the Governor, Sir Philip Game, will dissolve (lie Now South Wales Parliament has reyrhed tho Dominions Office. ft is impossible to say at present wh.it further action will be taken, but it is expected that the petition will reach the King in due course.