DISMISSAL OF MR LANG

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 5

DISMISSAL OF MR LANG

WAS IT LEGAL?

INDUSTRIAL JUDGE SAYS “ NO.”

i RESIGNS AS A PROTEST. i j United Tress Assn. — -Elec. Tel. Copyright j SYDNEY, May 20. ! Mr Justice A. B. Piddington, president of the New South Wales Industrial Commission, lias tendered his resignation to the Governor, Sir Philip Game. “as a protest against His Excellency’s unconstitutional action in dismissing the Lang Ministry." In his letter to the Governor, Mr Justice Piddington asserted that Mr Lang’s action was purely a question of law. He declared that His Excellency had no right to constitute himself a tribunal to deal with alleged offences against Federal law. Commenting on Mr Justice Pkldington’s resignation the Premier, Mr B. S. Stevens, said: “As he has resigned . and adopted the role of politician I j have no hesitation in saying that the whole opinion of eminent counsel is against his contention in regard to the unconstitutionallity of tho Governor’s action."

Mr Justice A. B. Piddington Is one of the most widely-known men in Australia. He has always been deeply interested in public affairs, particularly of an educational character, has been connected with various commissions, and has taken a leading part in politics. He has been Industrial Commissioner of New South Wales since April 22, 1926.

LATER. LANG’S SYSTEM GOES. NEW MINISTER’S REFORMS. ENGAGEMENT OF LABOUR. United Press Assn. —Elec.- Tel. Copyright. (Received May 21, 10.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 21. The Minister for Labour, Hon. J. Dunningham, is abolishing the Lang system of engaging labour at tho labour exchanges. He declared that in the past the allotment of work had been virtually placed in the hands of a coterio that supported the Lang Plan.

FAMILY ENDOWMENT.

COMMISSIONER’S EXPLANATION,

Unllet’ Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 21, 10.55 a.m.)

SYDNEY, May 21

The Commissioner of Family Endowment, In a circular which he is forwarding to the recipients of cheques to explain the delay in making payments, declares that the delay was not due to his department, that he was directed by the ex-Treasurer, Mr Lang, to withhold further payments, and that he was also instructed that if any persons inquired why the payments had been stopped he was to state that it was owing to the action taken by the Commonwealth Government.