CHECK TO “RED” PREMIER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18830, 19 March 1931, Page 9

CHECK TO “RED” PREMIER.

Dismissal Of Appeal. COMMENT BY “THE TIMES.” United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 17. “The Times,” in a leader on the High Court’s dismissal of Mr Lang’s appeal, says: “This has given this very ‘Red’ Premier a check which may seriously interfere with his plans for establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat, With himself as dictator. Mr Lang is unlikely to appeal to the people by referendum, for there is little doubt that the verdict would be against him. If he seeks the creation of new members to force through legislation of a confiscatory and revolutionary character, the Governor, before assenting, will probably wish to be satisfied that the Government has the country’s support for an extremist measure which was not placed before the electors at last election. The situation is complicated by Mr Lang’s feud against Mr Theodore. It becomes daily more evident that the life of the Scullin Government is numbered in hours.” UPPER HOUSE ABOLITION.

FINDING OF HIGH COURT. The Federal High Court, by a majority decision, disallowed the appeal of the New South Wales Government on Upper House Abolition, Justices Starke, Dixon, and Rich holding that the State Government was wrong in law and had no right ’to abolish the Legislative Council. Justices Duffy and McTiernan dissented. The appeal was against the decision of the New South Wales Supreme Court, which sustained the validity of the Bavin Government’s amendment to the constitution, requiring a referendum to be taken before the Bills for the abolition of the Upper House could be presentable for Royal assent. The submissions, on behalf of the Lang Ministry, were to the effect that no Parliament possessed the power to bind a succeeding Parliament. The State Cabinet is considering whether to carry the appeal to the Privy Council. If this is done the costs are expected to reach £IO,OOO. It is already believed the costs exceed £4OOO.

The State Cabinet has decided to appeal to the Privy Council against the decision of the High Court in the Legislative Council case.