LANG AWAITS DEFEAT, AND HOUSE BECOMES ABSOLUTE BEDLAM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18011, 23 November 1926, Page 15

LANG AWAITS DEFEAT, AND HOUSE BECOMES ABSOLUTE BEDLAM.

LAST-MINUTE COMPROMISE WITH BREAKAWAYS SAVES GOVERNMENT FROM IGNOMINY. Will Ask Dissolution, Promising at the last minute to seek a dissolution, Mr J. T. Lang, Premier of New South Wales, saved the Government from the ignominy of defeat on a censure motion moved by the leader of the Nationalists, Mr Bavin. The Labour breakaways, headed by Mr Loughlin, thereupon agreed to vote with the Government to the surprise of the Nationalists, who found themselves outmanoeuvred. The House adjourned amid scenes of unprecedented disorder.

By Telegraph.—preit Assn.—Copyright Aus. ud N.Z. Cabl* Association. SYDNEY, November 22. When Parliament met this morning. Mr Bavin moved, as a matter of urgency, that the Standing Orders should be suspended to enable him to move a no-confidence vote. This was carried by 45 to 44. Messrs Loughlin, Gooden and Gillies voted against the Government. Mr Bavin moved: “ That the House should record its disapproval of the Premier’s adherence to his public declaration that he was prepared to accept the dictation of an extra-Parlia-mentary authority in the discharge of his public duties; that for this and other reasons the Premier does not possess the confidence of the House.” Mr Bavin declared that the Administration had been brought to a level never before touched in the history of the State. The finances were in a hopeless state and the railways inextricably involved. Mr Lang had tried to subvert the Constitution of the State behind the backs of the people, even invoking the assistance of the Secretary of State for the Dominions in his efforts, and he had committed the unpardonable offence of heaping indignities on the head of the Governor, According to Mr Lang’s statement at the recent Labour Conference he and the Government were holding themselves responsible to an outside nori-elective body, which was the real Government of the State. This was a complete abdication of the responsibilities of Premiership. Lang Alleges Bribery. | Mr Lang, replying, defended His position regarding the finances and the railways. In reference to the movement for the abolition of the Legislative Council. “ speaking honestly and with conviction " he declared before God that “ he believed that bribery of the most corrupt and despicable kind had occurred to defeat his efforts for securing the abolition of that House.” Mr Lang added that if the opportunity’ remained he would insist on his abolition proposals being put through. He asserted that between himself and the Governor there had been nothing but the greatest courtesy. Dealing with the charges that he had been acting as a dictator, Mr Lang said he was not ashamed of the Labour Conference. He was the servant of the people and not their master, and had fearlessly endeavoured to carry out the pledges he had made on the platform. The Labour Party had fought the power of the Press and the machinations of its opponents in the face of almost insuperable odds. They were prepared to give up place and power before they would stoop to conquer by dishonesty. Mr LOtighlin’s Attitude. Mr Loughlin said it was not his intention to give to the Nationalists what he proposed to take away from

the Labour Party. He was unable to , go to the country under the proportional electoral system, so he proposed to force a general election and let the , people decide. He then attacked Mr Lang on the grounds of the latter’s neglect of rural legislation, and said that Mr Lang had not been elected leader of the party by a free vote from his followers. A free gathering of the caucus members meant nothing to Mr Lang. There was no parallel between Mr Lang’s position and that of the leader of any’ other party’ in the world. It was unprecedented. Mr Loughlin concluded with th£. declaration that he and the two other members with him were proud of being in the rebellion, but they most certainly would not hand the legislation of the State over to the Nationalists. Mr Loughlin said the Reds had got control of the last Labour Conference and Mr Lang held them. Gradually’, but surely, they were getting control of the party' and the Government. He then referred to the bribery charges and said that there had been an infamous imputation against members 6f the caucus and later Mr Lang deliberately set himself to frustrate and sidetrack the inquiry which was demanded. Mr Lang, in a statement, said that as soon as he could get his Cabinet together he would appoint a Royal Commission to see how certain members of the Legislative Council had brought about the defeat of the Council Abolition Bill. The censure motion was defeated by. 44 votes to 42. Messrs Loughlin, Gooden and Gillies refrained from voting, and Mr Skelton, an Independent Labour member, voted with the Government. When the result was announced the. House was turned into a Bedlam and it was adjourned amid scenes of uproar not. seen for many' years. The result was totally unexpected by the Opposition who were certain that Mr Bavin would take charge of the House when the count was announced. The House then adjourned till Monda y. The defeat of the censure motion was brought about by a last minute arrangement between Mr Lang and Mr Loughlin and the latter’s supporters, the Premier giving his assurance that when the House met on Monday he would ask for four months' supply' 1 and then apply' to the Governor for a dissolution. The three breakaways on these conditions decided that they would support Mr Lang both to de- , feat the censure motion and to carry supply. Parliament therefore, if the Governor grants a dissolution, will end this month and the Budget proposals, new taxes and other legislation will be thrown overboard. The election will probably be held in February.