N.S.W. DILEMMA

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 5

N.S.W. DILEMMA

RESTRICTION OF FINANCE COMMONWEALTH BLOCKADE WEEKLY WAGES TO BE PAID PREPARING FOR ELECTION INSTRUCTIONS TO PARTY By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 10.30 p.m. Sydney, April 13. Though the assembling of the Premiers’ Conference at Melbourne has given the New South Wales Government a temporary respite from the Commonwealth’s financial blockade, the most pressing problem to-day was the distribution of the public service fortnightly pay- . It is understood the salaries will be paid in full to-morrow, but some delay may arise in adjusting matters in country public bodies, and that storekeepers in the country will be unable to negotiate Mr. Lang’s cheques. Until some kind of emergency organisation is set up widows’ pensions and child endowment payments cannot be made. The Commonwealth Bank, however, is making temporary provision to pay recipients as from to-morrow. The Telegraph says that to prepare for an early election all electoral councils of the State Labour Party have been summoned to a special conference at the Trades Hall on Saturday.

Though the Labour Party at its Easter conference decided that the next State election would be fought on socialisation, it is stated by the supporters of Messrs. Garden and Graves that this will hamper the Government’s chances of being returned. It is also understood that Mr. Lang indicated to the party executive that the election is to be fought solely on the question of secession and banks. He would not agree to the socialisation plank. The United Australia Party expects the State election within three months. The newspaper Labour Daily states that at the moment a New South Wales Cabinet sub-committee is concentrating on preventing the leakage of the racing and entertainment taxes. Bookmakers and racing clubs who prove disloyal to the State and pay taxation to the Federal authorities will most likely be delicensed.

The position of the banks in lending themselves to the Federal “break and enter” campaign is being analysed by a legal sub-committee. It is considered likely that civil action, claiming heavy damages, will be taken by the Government against one of the most important banking institutions.