MR. LANG LEAVES

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1932, Page 7

MR. LANG LEAVES

OBJECTION TO ECONOMY CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY CRITICISM OF N.S.W, POLICY SEEKING WAY TO SOCIALISM By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Sydney, April 17. The New South Wales Premier (Mr. J. T. Lang) has returned to Sydney from the Premiers’ conference at Melbourne. It is stated he does not intend to return to Melbourne. The Prime Minister (Mr. J. A. Lyons) has sent a statement to the London Press deprecating Mr. Lang’s suggestion to withhold overseas interest in order to meet economic and financial difficulties. Mr. Lyons points out that the prospect of a general reduction in interest on external debts depends on the action taken upon an international basis for the relief of debtor countries. He sincerely hopes the war debts question will be settled at the international conference to be held in London in June. “Whatever measure of relief is obtained, however, will depend upon how far we are able to strengthen our credit,” Mr. Lyons says. “Mr. Lang’s attitude certainly will not enhance our prospects of relief.”

Commenting at Melbourne yesterday on Mr. Lang’s speech at the Premiers’ conference, Mr. Lyons said that Mr. Lang was running true to form. Mr. Lang had buret forth with a speech made up of a tissue of misrepresentations and bitterness. That was his only contribution towards the alleviation of unemployment. He had left for Sydney casting aside all semblance of British honesty and square dealing and coming out in his true colours. His statement about the proposed abolition of the Arbitration Courts had been a sheer fabrication.

“Mr. Lang,” Mr. Lyons said, “wants to pay no interest and spend more borrowed money. He obviously does not want to relieve unemployment. He wants to continue his .policy of keeping many of his supporters on full time works and to increase the ranks of dole receivers until the system breaks down, when he will bring forward his socialistic plan. He desires to prevent the unemployed from benefiting under the relief loan scheme.

“Mr. Lang’s proposals can only bring ruin to the producers, savings bank depositors, old age and war pensioners, and the big body of employed and unemployed workers.” The Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph says that Tasmania alone accepted the economic plan subject to reservations, and it is thought South Australia will do the same. Western Australia falls in line only as far as exchange is concerned. Mr. Lang and the Victorian delegate (Mr. Tunnecliffe) condemned the proposals, and Queensland may be taken as having also decided against it.

The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce strongly condemns the proposal to increase the exchange rate on London.

N.S.W. HIGH COURT APPEAL

DISSOLUTION IF CASE IS LOST.

GOVERNOR FEARS REVOLUTION.

Sydney, April 16.

In the event of the High Court deciding against the New South Wales Government on the motion to compel the banks to pay all State moneys to the Commonwealth, the Government will dissolve the State Parliament. This view is expressed by well-informed people. It is believed that the Governor, Sir Philip Game, is extremely perturbed at fhe possibility of a revolution, the trade unions having announced their intention to take their place “in the fight which is impending,” and is accordingly enlisting aid from returned soldiers and placing united organisation at the disposal of the Premier (Mr. J. T. Lang).