MR LANG’S WAGE RAID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 7

MR LANG’S WAGE RAID

PLAN CREATES CRISIS

THE COUNCIL’S OPPOSITION

COMMUNITY’S LAST HOPE

FATE OF DRASTIC MEASURE (By Telegraph—Pre. r Association—Copyright] Received June 28, 7.20 p.m. SYDNEY, June 28. The topic of conversation in New South Wales is Mr Lang’s wage. tax. Almost the entire population is fervently hoping that the Legislative Council on Alonday will throw out the measure at all costs. Business men pre. diet complete ruin and declare that money which legitimately should be spread over private enterprise, will be diverted to the Government.

The Sydney Alorning Herald, in an editorial, appeals to the Legislative Council to save tho country now. It is believed that the Council will adopt this course irrespective of the consequences. A meeting of members of that Chamber is being held prior to the re-assembling of the Council. Northern miners are hotly opposing the wage tax.

The Bill passed all stages in the Assembly and then was sent to the Legislative Council. Lobby opinion is that if the Council rejects the measure early nex* week tho Premier will, in the event of the Governor refusing his assent appeal to the British Government direct for assent. Mr Lang claims to have precedent for this course. Mr Lang’s colleagues point out that if the Bill does not become law it will bo impossible to finance the Public Services at the end of June, and police, school teachers, rail, tramway, and other Government employees will go without their pay. Bankers are of opinion that the taxwill seriously prejudice the proposed conversion loan.

Theatrical interests declare that the tax will cause more theatres to close. Several manufacturers contemplate moving their businesses to Victoria.

COUNCIL’S PLANS. COMMUNIST DISTURBANCE. POLICE ACT SWIFTLY. Received June 29. 1 a.m. SYDNEY, June 28. It was reported to night that a majority in the Legislative Council will defer consideration ef the wages tax bill until Mr Lang discloses his intention- concerning the manner in which he will carry out the economies under the Melbourne conference plan. Alternatively, they will throw the measure out.

Communists in the (Domain to-day caused an ugly disturbance, but the police acted swiftly and arrested four, keeping a huge crowd at bay with batons. COUNCIL’S ATTITUDE. BILL AIAY BE DEFEATED. SYDNEY, June 27. The intention of the Alinistry to dis pose of the wage tax legislation in one day with a view to its proclamation on Afonday was defeated in the Legislative Council, where a motion affirming urgency was negatived. The Council agreed to the first reading. The Premier stated that the new taxes are expected to yield £16,000,000 during tho next financial year. The Telegraph says that if it. comes to a party division the Government can count on only twenty votes in tho Upper House. To complicate matters further it is believed from the tone of the manifesto issued by the Theodore Australian Labour Party provisional executive that the section in the Council who refused to sign tho Lang plan pledge will assist the Nationalists in defeatin'’ the Bill.

MR. LANG’S CLAIMS. UPPER HOUSE ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, Juno 27. The Sydney ATorning Herald says that Air Lang stated that he acted quite constitutionally and was confid ent that the new taxation measure would become law. Tho genera] opin ion in Alinisterial Parliamentary circles was that the Upper House would earnout the usual practice with regard to money Bills and pass the present emergency taxation, after recording its strong protest. ‘ ‘ LEGALISED BOLSHEVISM.’ ’ THE TAX DENOUNCED. LONDON, June 26. The Sun-Herald service states: “Legalised Bolshevism is tho city busi ness men’s description of ATr Lang’s in tention of applying a levy on undistributed profits. They declare that the measure will wreck industry and precipitate economic chaos.

“Excepting air and water there will soon be nothing left to tax in NewSouth Wales,’’ declared a financier who is interested in Australia.