N.S. WALES POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 18

N.S. WALES POLITICS.

FLOUTING STATUTE LAW. SYDNEY, January 11. Mr Storey (State Premier) has announced that as prohibition would cost the State over £12,000,000, apart from compensation to employees, the Government has decided not to take a referendum this year. January 12. The Presbytery of Sydney unanimously adopted a resolution of protest against the Government’s decision not to take a poll on the question of prohibition. January 13. Sir G. W. Fuller, commenting on the Government’s attitude towards the liquor referendum, says that the Storey Government stands as the representative of the vested interests of the liquor traffic, which, under the conditions surrounding it, is productive of much misery, poverty, and unhappiness, and fills the gaols. It is responsible for terrible crimes, breaks up happy homes, and saps the manhood of the land. The Government had flouted the law. It should have repealed the Act if it had no intention of giving effect to it. Mr Hammond predicts a motion of censure when Parliament meets. He ridicules the lack of money excuse, and adds that if the soldiers who defended the country take deferred bonds the people who injure the country should take them.

THE CAUCUS RULE. r SYDNEY, January 10. The executive of the Australian Labour Party forwarded a letter to Cabinet protesting against the lengthy parliamentary recess, also requesting the immediate appointment of the necessary Legislative Council nominees. January 14. The conference between the Labour Executive and Mr Storey continued until nearly midnight, and then adjourned till Friday evening. Mr Storey left at the dinner adjournment, explaining that he had told the executive that his visit to England was imperative in order to place the State on a sound financial basis and to enable the Government to give effect to its platform. Parliament would be unable to meet before his return, as he was the Government’s majority. January 15. The differences between the Australian Labour Party and the Premier (Mr Storey) threaten a crisis. After a further conference the executive of the party resolved to insist upon Parliament reassembling not later than March to give effect to the Labour policy, and also that necessary appointments be made to the

Legislative Council immediately in order to secure the passage of Labour measure.sent up from the Assembly. The position will be brought to a head on Tuesday, when the Parliamentary Party assembles to give its decision on the executive’s dt mauds.