REBUFF TO MR. LANG

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1931, Page 15

REBUFF TO MR. LANG

DEFEAT IN UPPER HOUSE. RIVAL LABOUR FACTIONS. (New Zealand Herald Correspondent.) Sydney, Dec. 3. There was many a sigh of relief in New South Wales last week when, in spite of the flooding of the Legislative Council by its supporters,, the Labour Government was defeated on vital matters. A distinct fear had developed that Mr. Lang would be more a dictator than ever, especially when the re-committed bill permitting betting on mechanical hare racing had such an easy passage. Then came the Insurance Companies Bill, designed to compel insurance companies doingi business within the State to lodge with the Government a very substantial cash deposit An amendment was moved enabling the substitution of Government bonds for the cash, and this the Government bitterly opposed. The Labour mpn who adhere to the Federal Labour Party as against the Lang Labour Party joned with the non-Labour section and the amendment was carried. When the proposed cash deposit was first mentioned some time ago there was some doubt concerning the sincerity of Mr. Lang, who had said that his sole desire was to protect the public. It was then suggested that the same purpose could be ■ achieved by accepting bonds, and when Mr. Lang, in his usual uncompromising style, insisted upon cash, it was suggested that the Government’s desire for money- greater than its desire to-protcct the public. .Mr. Lang made no attempt to justify his demand, but went ahead serenely until pulled up once again by the Legislative Council, which he has been, and still is, so anxious to abolish. It has been held that in declining to accept bonds the Government has been “fouling its own nest,’ for it should be the last to cast any doubts on their value as security. The defeat has shown definitely that the Federal Labour Party actually holds the balance of power in tne Council and will be an efficient brake on Mr. Lang and his wild schemes The Ministry now wonders whether it will be able to pass the Greater Sydney Bill, designed to

bring big industrial area? into the city so that Labour will be able to secure everlasting control of civic affairs, as well as control of the harbour and the supply of electricity. Already, with a total disregard for everybody, Mr. Lang has decided that the municipal elections in and around Sydney fixed for next Saturday shall be postponed, ostensibly because of the clash with the Federal election, but actually to enable him to introduce his Greater Sydney Bill. If Mr. Lang plans to enhance his own cause he can be depended upon to rouse the ire of fhe Federal Australian Labour Party supporters in the Legislative Council, and the Greater Sydney of his dreams might be postponed. Whatever happens, it is clear now that the Legislative Council, even though it be swamped, will not be a mere rubber stamp of approval of everything Mr Lang says and does. Maybe Mr. Lang will seek additional appointments.