NEW ZEALANDER RETURNS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20170, 24 February 1931, Page 9

NEW ZEALANDER RETURNS.

. . , 1 .. V . 1 1 ■ ' CONDITIONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. PROFESSOR'S OPINIONS. Itaß PBBSB BpMial Berrtee.l WELLINGTON, February 23. A coalition "between the ' Nationalist Party and the Moderate Labour faction is, according to the average Australian view, a possibility in New South Wales politics. , This was spoken of to-day by Professor H. B. Kirk, of Victoria University College, who returned by the Makura from a.two months' holiday in' New South Wales. Professor Kirk mentioned the attitude maintained toward Mr Lang, the State Premier, and the Labour extremists; but was unwilling to let his remarks stand as authoritative. "It strikes a'stranger," he said, "that there is general reaction against the extreme Labour Party, and the views expressed by Mr Lang. It may possibly lead to a coalition between the moderate Labour Party and the Nationalists. That iB the view of .the man in the street. "It is quite certain that Mr Lang had the support initially of a large number of people who, you would suppose, would not be misled by his promises. These were the Oivil servants, not 611 of them, perhaps, but at least the large "majority. "Business people, too particularly small business people, Jiglieved In Mr Lang's promises, and. the "possibility of them being carried- out, but, everyone knows now that they are impossible. "It is.quite possible that the extreme Labour Party will sweep everything," Professor Kirk continued. "Behind it there is always the-whole Constitution and the Courts, and it is os the cards that Mr Lang may not be able to coerce tbe banks as he wants to. "There have been many threats of violence in New South, Wales; and many minor scenes of violence. • Labour factionswhose ideas are. ltot identical have certainly behaved on occasions very violently toward each. other. They cannot live in the same camp. States Dissatisfied. "Judging from the New Etauth Wales papers, West Australia, Queensland, and' Tqsminia are all dissatisfied Mrith the results of the Federation, and all talk of secession; but it is ' doubtful whether secession, would be possible. It maket one thankfiil that New Zealand did not accept the invitation to join the Federation." | Professor Kirk said that the situation of the Australian wool-groVer was well known and unchanged. * One of the, things, however, that, hit the'Aus-, traUan wool-grower hardest of all, and was disadvantageous, .therefore, to the : whole community,, was the tax on exported skins. Thje French, market had boycotted Australian skins, -aild ' they were actually being destroyed.. It was * terrible waste, of course, said ProfesBOr Kirk, - - / * t*< r V "r s tUnemployed Trarapers. A feature vt the unemployment situation waa the number-ofxbrin" one stffr ttamping abont in the country districts. It was done by .large numbers systematically, the -explanation lying- in the faet that men" could draw rations if they' could, prove they had walked 40 miles, during the week in search of work. Numbers of men might Work a!o* a day cr two at the beginning of their week, and then cany through coMclentioualy their 40 utiles' tramp: v on a store for rations eonlg tie obtained able feature o* rural roads. .*•'*