N.S. WALES CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19737, 13 March 1926, Page 11

N.S. WALES CRISIS

ABOLITION OP THE COUNCIL. THE GOVERNOR’S POSITION. STATEMENT BY MR LANG. (PrtM Association—By Telegraph—^Copyright.) SYDNEY, March 12. The Premier (Mr Lang) stated that he was amused at the press campaign against the Labour Government and the talk about Downing street. He said the Council Abolition Bill was brought in as an answer to a direct challenge from the Nationalist Opposition. Mr Lang added that he refused the .right of anyone to order a General Election. So long as the Government. commanded a majority in the Assembly it not only had the right, but the duty to rule. The Labour Party was never more united than on the question of the abolition of the Upper House. Mr Lang then commented on the discussion for the recall of the Governor. He said it appeared to him that if he appealed to the Dominions Office he was sacrificing the self-governing rights of the people, but when the Nationalists memorialised Downing street to reject the Labour Government’s legislation they were quite within their rights. When the National Premier demanded and secured the recall of the State Governor he was something of a hero, but the' mere suggestion that the Labour Government might be compelled to act in a similar manner filled the Nationalists with horror. He concluded by saying that all the talk about, Downing street wa: moonshine, as every well-informed citizen knew that the State Governor was a servant of the State, and was provided with a handsome salary and palatial residence at the expense of the State. ■ “The only opposition to cur policy comes from our traditional enemies, and I would be unworthy of my trust and a contemptible coward into the bargain. If I were to lie down and submit to their dictation. It is the rankest humbug to refer to the nominee house as a chamber of revision, when a review of the division lists shows convincingly that the Council is just as much a party house as the Assembly, as so long as. it remains in existence the Government of the day must have a majority there or submit to nominee rule. At present the Nationalists have a majority in the Council, and that majority has deliberately panned to thrawt the Government, not only on the Abolition Bill, but on all vital Labour legislation. If the members of the Opposition think the Government is going to be influenced by the torrent of abuse now bc ; ng levelled at me, they are making the mistake of their lives.” According to statements in political circles the Governor has already given Mr Lang to understand that he can obtain a dissolution of Parliament if he desires to seek a mandate from the people on the question of the Upper House. _ The consensus of opinion in political Labour circles is that it is the Premier’s desire to see Sir Timothy Coghlan (at present Agent-General) in the position now occupied by Sir Dudley de Chair. RECALL OF THE GOVERNOR. DOMINIONS OFFICE NOT APPROACHED. LONDON. March 11. (Received March 12, at 5.5 p.m.) The Dominions Office has not received any suggestion from any source regarding Sir Dudley de Chair’s resignation or recall. The question of his resignation is regarded as within Sir Dudley de Chair s personal discretion and his recall is not even considered as remotely possible.— A. and N.Z. Cable.