A BREACH OF FAITH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 287, 28 August 1920, Page 7

A BREACH OF FAITH

CHARGED AGAINST. GOVERNSIENT OP'QUEENSLAND. London, August 25. Tiie v British Australasian Society, In a letler to the newspapers ;ji reply to Mr. I.ennon's speech, says:— "The Queensland Government's action is repudiation puro and simple. At meetings with Sir. Theodore there was no suggestion of interfering with yueeiisland's self-governing powers, but it.' was made clear to the Premier that a breach of faith would be ruinous to the credit of the Government as well as Individual?, and that the one suro road to tho restoration of creditl was by tho repealing, of the Land Act Amondmcnt Act and' restoring the status quo ante. Sir. Theodore offered to Tepeal the Act, but coupled the offer wii'Ji an intimation that the Government would immediately introduce an Act taxing these pellicular leaseholds to the same-extent a.l they would have sutfered by a breach of covenant In connection with their leases. Thus the Government professed to keep faith , fn-.. the letter while deliberately breaking it in tho spirit. This offer was coupled with a sitggestioni that the society join, with him in an announcement through the Press tliit his Government had done the right thing, and that we were sat : sfied. Naturally, ( we refused tf> lie l parties to any ,such hollow deception."

The letter concludes: "The Lieuten-ant-Governor is only, throwing dust In t,ho electors' eyes lvheiv he tries to lay on the Queensland delegation or certain London financiers- the blame that: rests, in facil, solely on the shoulders of the Queensland Government owing to a deliberate breach of faith.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.