LABOUR’S SALARY GRAB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19440, 28 October 1925, Page 8

LABOUR’S SALARY GRAB

MR LaNG QIOnONED THE FACTS OF THE CASE. LIVELY DISCUSSION IN N.S.W. PARLIAMENT. Received Oct. 27, 10.30 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 27. A cable from Auckland, published m the press to-day, that in reply to a cable from Mr M. J. Savage, deputyleader of the New Zealand Labour Party, Mr J. T. Lang had informed him that the increase in New South Wales Parliamentary salaries was grantLl with the full approval of all parties in the House, and that it was a misconception to believe Labour introduced the Bill for its own benefit, gave rise to lively proceedings. Mr Perkins asked the Premier had he written to New Zealand stating that all sections of Parliament were in favour of the salary grab. Amid uproar Mr Hill said that all Nationalist members voted against the increase. Mr Lang objected to it being called a grab . He said that if Mr Perkins felt it was a grab he was taking something to which he was not entitled, and merely had to write to the Treasury refusing it. He added that members of the National Party voted against the increase, but all were accepting it. In reply to another question, he said that only one member—Mr Lysaght, a Labourite—refused the increase. Late in the day, Mr Bavin returned to the attack. He declared that Mr Lang had made a false statement, and if ho had taken the trouble to inform himself of the facts his answer would have?been different. He added: "The Premier who answers questions recklessly is almost as bad as the Premier who answers questions wrongly.”

CONSCIENTIOUS NATIONALISTS MB. BAVIN ENLIGHTENS MB. SAVAGE. Received Oct. 28, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 27. Seen after the Assembly adjourned, Mr. Bavin said Mr. Lang had been notified that certain members of the Nationalist Party had intimated that they did not intend to accept the slary increase. Mr. Bavin added that he had cabled Mr. Savage to-night that Mr. Lang’s statement to the effect that the Salaries Bill was passed by the Assembly with the full approval of all parties was entirely incorrect. It was carried on a division against the Opposition, with all Nationalist members voting against the increase.