“UPPER HOUSE MUST GO.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 January 1926, Page 7

“UPPER HOUSE MUST GO.”

Decision of Labour Cabinet.

MR LANG'S EMPHATIC STATEMENT.

By Cable —Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association SYDNEY, January 20. Mr Lang, in an interview, referring to the Government’s latest defeat in the Council said: “I will win in the end. Ido not intend to take any notice of the defeat at this juncture. I have determined that the Council shall go, and go it shall if it takes a fight of twenty rounds. The Cabinet was absolutely unanimous in its decisions on the matter. They are prepared to inini.ediately introduce a Bill to bring about tlie initiative, referendum and recall.” It is anticipated that the Council abolition will be defeated this week. Mr Lang then proposes to close the session and call another special session, and in the event of further defeat, another special session. Should he suffer a defeat a third time, he will then take advantage of the Constitution and declare vacant the seats of those members of the Council who have been absent from two special sessions. In the meantime the Australian Labour Conference will have been asked to adopt a motion placing the selection of members of the Council solely in the hands of the Premier. Armed with this power, he will select a number of additional members, and go to the Governor for their appointment. He expressed confidence that the Governor, having been told by the Home authorities he must obey hip responsible Ministers, would have to make the appointments. Then Mr Lang will call _ another special session, and with his increased and fully pledged supporters, would carry the abolition proposals. MR LANG’S ATTITUDE. NOT FLOUTING THE PEOPLE. ' By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received January 20, 11.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 20. The Assembly by 45 votes to 21 discharged tho Electoral Bill from tho Order Paper. Mr Lang, replying to Mr Bavin, said he had no intention of flouting the people. The Council would be abolished now or later without any referendum. When the Legislative Council met, the galleries were crowded, and the air electrical. Mr Willis immediately moved leave to introduce tho Abolition Bill. Mr Alam, one of tlie new Labour appointees, declared that Labour would bo blundering by abolishing the Chamber. THE FIRST ROUND. LABOUR WINS BY TWO VOTES. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 21, 12.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, January 20. In the Legislative Council, Labour won the first round, the motion for the introduction of the Abolition Bill being carried by 45 to 43 votes. The paired Labour members refrained from voting. The Bill was read a first time, and the Council formally adjourned. The general opinion is that the Bill will be carried by one vote. .