POSITION IN AUSTRALIA

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 25

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA

THE SALARIES OF JUDGES VOLUNTARY REDUCTION. CANBERRA, August 4. The Chief Judge of the Arbitration Court (Mr Justice Dethridge) and Mr •Justice Beeby have expressed their willingness to submit to a voluntary reduction of 25 per cent, in their salaries. Mr Justice Lukin replied that he could not see his way clear to accept any reduction. No reply has been received irorn the justices of the High Court. INTEREST ON OVERDRAFTS. . SYDNEY, August 5. The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Ltd., announces a reduction of interest on overdrafts of 1 per cent, from August 1. HOSPITAL’S DIFFICULTIES. SYDNEY, August 0. There was not sufficient money in hand yesterday to pay the salaries and wages of the staff of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The chairman of the board of directors stated that the quota from the Government was £lOOO short in July. The hospital is steadily falling into The amount owing to tradesmen and others is about £15,000. STATEMENT BY MR LANG. SYDNEY, August 6. Mr Lang assured the Leader of the Opposition, who asked many questions about the failure to pay public servants, that there was no need to stampede the people. He added. “If they keep their heads all these difficulties will solve themselves in a- day or two.” Continuing, he said: “It seems to me that there is a war of attrition going on against the poorly-paid workers, and the Government has got to resist it.” Mr Lang at another stage again attacked the Legislative Council. He declared that New South Wales no longer possessed self-government, but was reduced to the status of a Crown colony, with the Government acting only in an advisory capacity. 'The Government’s measures were not accepted unless they were in conformity with the views of other people. Thus the Labour leaders would have to tell the people that it was no use trying to get legislation through by constitutional action. An Opposition member interjected: Is that a suggestion or a threat? Mr Lang replied: It is a fact. In addition to the police and gaol warders 11,000 school teachers were unpaid to-day, but thousands of tram drivers, conductors, and railwaymen received their pay. Somebody hoisted a flag at half-mast over the Treasury Buildings, but it was later hauled down and remained down.

It was stated to-day that police pay was also withheld, bringing the total of public service salaries deferred to £270,000.

Replying to questions in the Legislative Assembly to-day, Mr Lang said that the Government would not depart from its policy of protecting the lowest i paid workers. He would not accept the Legislative Council’s amendment to the Salaries Reduction Bill. THOUSANDS AFFECTED. SYDNEY, August 6. Approximately 23,000 members of the public service did not receive anv pav to-day. FEDERAL APPROPRIATION BILL. CANBERRA, August 6. The Appropriation Bill, which provides for 12 months’ supply, passed the Senate without amendment. LOAN CONVERSION ACT. CANBERRA, August 6. The Loan Conversion Act will be pro claimed on Monday, and the loan con version appeal will close on August 31, thus allowing bondholders 21 days, if they so desire, to register their objections to converting their bonds to the new holdings at a lower interest. A big campaign is being launched by the National Appeal Executive immediately. BANKS IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, August 6. The Premier (Mr E. J. Hogan) announces that the associated banks in Victoria have agreed to reduce interest by 1 per cent, on private advances before October 1. MR LANG’S REDUCTION BILL. SYDNEY, August 7. In the Legislative Assembly Mr Lang introduced his new Public Service Salaries Reduction Bill, which is practically a replica of that which has already been rejected. Salaries below the basic wage will be subject to a cut of 8 1-3 per cent., and the cuts in other salaries will be as follow:—

£2OO to £4OO, 171 per cent. £4OO to £6OO, 20 per cent. £6OO to £BOO, 22J per cent. £BOO to £lOOO, 25 per cent. £lOOO to £l5OO, 27 J per cent. Over £l5OO, 32 J per cent. No salary is to be reduced below the declared living wage. In an exceedingly satirical vein, the Premier said that the Bill had" been

drafted in conformity with the system of Crown colony government now obtaining in this State.

Mr Foster (Nat.): Why be dirty? Why don’t you resign? Mr Lang continued: “ Nomineeism,” which controls our legislation, has caused the withholding of public servants’ pay unless certain demands of the banks are complied with. The least we can now expect is that the Upper House will allow this measure to pass without exacting from the lower-paid workers the last pound of flesh. Mr Stevens, the Deputy-leader of the Opposition, said that the Premier’s reference to Crown colony government was quite unjustified. Such bellicose and irresponsible statements made the position more difficult, and certainly did not improve the credit of the State; rather did they intensify the lack of confidence and general feeling of fear. Something more extensive than the economies proposed in this Bill were required before the banks could come to the aid of the State. It would seem that New South Wales would need by the end of September, not £3,500,000,' but £9.500,000. Mr Reid (Nat.) contended that Mr Lang personally was quite comfortable, as he stood behind probably £lOO,OOO. Mr Lang laughed heartily. Mr Reid added: We know you have not got it here, as you sent £12,000 out with the Agent-general (Mr Willis). Mr Lang asked: Do you claim a points decision or a knock-out? Mr Reid: A clean knock-out. The Bill was passed by both Houses. RETRENCHMENT POLICY. LONDON, August 7. The Morning Post, in an editorial, applauds Australia, “ which is on the way to ultimate restoration of strength and prosperity, which can now be regarded as a certainty. Her example in the bold policy of retrenchment must command the admiration of the whole world, and will be watched here with sympathetic readiness to render whatever further assistance is possible.”

AUSTRALIAN ISSUES. LONDON, August 7. The Financial News says that Australian issues were marked down one or two points in many instances, owing to unsatisfactory advices about Mr Lang and New South Wales.

ISSUE OF TREASURY BILLS. MELBOURNE, August 9. The Loan Council approved of the issue of Treasury bills amounting to £500,000 to cover the cash requirements of New South Wales for July. The Prime Minister, in making the announce meat, said that the New South Wales Government had given all the undertak ings that were required, even to effecting a 20 per cent, reduction in adjustable Government expenditure. Mr Scullin added that the question of the cash requirements for each State Government for August and subsequent months would be considered next week.

It is now expected that the New South Wales public service salaries will be paid on Monday.

“ FANTASTIC SOCIALISM.”

LONDON, August 9. The Sunday Despatch, in an editorial, says: “New South Wales must be classing her Premier among luxuries. No country in these hard times can afford the fantastic socialism "which has made them the laughing stock of the world and involved Australia in almost every kind of financial embarrassment. It is extraordinary that he has remained in office so long, but New South Wales is unlikely to have another Lang.”

A “DISLOYAL” COUNCILLOR. SYDNEY, August 8. After 14 years as secretary of the Eight-hour Demonstration Committee. Mr Yager, a Legislative Councillor, has been dismissed as punishment for voting against, the Government on the 5s in the £ Wage Tax Bill. The official charge read: “ Disloyalty in breaking the Lang Plan pledge.”

THE BREAD “WAR” OVER. SYDNEY, August 9. The bread war ”is now apparently over, the New South Wales Government having agreed to pay at the rate of 4s 3d per dozen for bread, redeemable on the dole coupons. THE COMMERCIAL BANK. MELBOURNE, August 8. Addressing the shareholders of the Commercial Bank of Australia, Mr John Webb (chairman) announced a reduction of interest of 1 per cent, from October 1. He referred to the Victorian Government’s previous threat to compel the banks to do this. Mr Webb said that legislative interference might, so hamper the banks that it would be impossible further to help the Governments, while the arbitary fixation of the rate of interest would possibly make money dearer or force further capital from the country. FARMERS’ DEBTS. PERTH, August 8. The Farmers’ Debts Adjustment Commission reported that the estimated liabilities of 20,500 farmers were about £31,000,000, not inclusive of the amounts owing to stock and station agents, private mortgagees, doctors, and tradespeople other than country storekeepers.

THE ECONOMIES PLAN. MELBOURNE, August 8. The Loan Council, in a statement, points out that the Commonwealth Government has passed the necessary legislation to give effect to the economies plan adopted by the Premiers’ Conference, and for converting loans. Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania also passed the necessary legislation, and it is expected that the Western Australian Bills will be passed to-day.

A.M.P. SOCIETY’S HOLDING. WELLINGTON, August 9. Following on the proclamation of the Debt Conversion Act Sir Alfred Meeks, chairman of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, has telegraphed to the Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. H. Scullin) that the society will convert the whole of its holding of Commonwealth and State loans, amounting to £21,750.000. The trustees of the Ofiiccrs Provident Fund of the society will also convert its holding of stock, amounting to £318,000.