MOTION OF CENSURE DEFEATED

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 9

MOTION OF CENSURE DEFEATED

IN NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT

PREMIER TO APPLY FOR DISSOLUTION

BUDGET PROPOSALS DROPPED

A motion of want of confidence in the Government, moved by Mr. Bavin in the • New South Wales Legislative Assembly, was defeated by two votes. This was brought about by an arrangement between Mr. Lang and Mr. Loughlin and the latter’s supporters, the Premier giving an assurance that he will apply for a dissolution. By Telegraph. Press association copyright. (Rec. November 22, 7.35 p.m.) Sydney, November 22. In the Legislative Assembly Mr. T. R. Bavin moved as a matter of urgency that the Standing Orders be suspended so as to enable him to move his noconfidence motion. This was carried by 45 votes to 44, Messrs. Loughlin, Goodin, and Gillies voting against the Government. Mr. Bavin then moved: “That the House should record its disapproval of the Premier’s adherence to his public declaration that he was prepared to accept the dictation of an extra-Parliamentary authority in discharge of his public duties; that for this and other reasons tlie Premier does not possess the confidence of the House." Finances in Hopeless State. Mr. Bavin declared that the Administration had been brought to a level never before touched in the history of the State. The finances were in a hopeless state, and the railways inextricably involved. Mr. Lang had tried to subvert the Constitution of the State behind the backs oi the people, even invoking the assistance of the Secretary of State for the Dominions in his efforts, and he had committed the unpardonable offence of heaping indignities on the head of the Governor. According to Mr. Lang’s state-, ment at the recent Labour Conference he and the Government were holding themselves responsible to an outside non-elective body, which was the real Government of the State. This was a complete abdication of the responsibilities of the Premiership. Mr. Lang’s Defence. Mr. Lang, replying, defended the position regarding the finances and the railways. With reference to the movement for the abolition of the Legislative Council, ‘.‘speaking honestly and with conviction.” lie declared be-

fore God that “he believed briber;, of the most corrupt and despic able kind had de curred to defeat his efforts for se curing the aboli tion of tli a : Hous e.” Mr Lang added that, if the opportun ity remained, he would insist on) his abolition pro-' posals being put

through. He asserted that between himself and the Governor there had been nothing but the greatest courtesy. Dealing with charges that he had been acting as dictator, Mr. Lang said he was not ashamed of the Labour Conference. He was a servant of the people, and not their mastet, and had fearlessly endeavoured to carry out the pledges he had made on the platform. The Labour Party had fought tlie power of the Press and the machinations of opponents, in the face of almost insuperable odds. They were prepared to give up place and power before they would stoop to conquer by dishonesty. Mr. Loughlin’s Attitude. Mr. Loughlin said it was not his intention to give to the Nationalists what he proposed to take away from the Labour Partv. He was unable to go to the country under the proportional electoral system, so he proposed to force a general election and let the people decide. He then attacked Mr. Lang on the grounds of the latter’s neglect of rural legislation, and said Mr. Lang had not been elected leader of the party by a free vote from followers. A free gathering of caucus members meant nothing to Mr. Lang. There was no parallel between Mr. Lang’s position and that of the leader of any other party in the world It was unprecedented. Mr. Loughlin concluded with a declaration that he and the two other members with him were proud of being in rebellion, but they most certainly would not hand the legislation of the State over to the Nationalists.

Reds Getting Control. (Rec. November 22, 11.10 p.m.) Mr. Loughlin said the Reds had got control of the last Labour Conference, and Mr. Lang held them. Gradually but surely they were getting control of the party and the Government. He then referred to the bribery charges, and said there had been an infamous imputation against members of the caucus and later Mr. Lang deliberately set himself to frustrate and sidetrack the inquiry which was demanded. Later Mr. Lang, in a statement, said that as soon as lie could get the Cabinet together he would appoint a Royal Commission to see how Certain members of the Legislative Council had brought about the defeat of the Council Abolition Bill. Voting on tlie Motion. The censure motion was defeated by 44 votes to 42. Messrs Loughlin, Goodin, and Gillies refrained from voting, and Mr Skelton. Independent Labour member, voted with the Govern-. merit When the result was announced the House was turned into a bedlam, and was adjourned amid scenes of uproar not seen for tnanv years The result was totally unexpected by the Oppos’t'on. who felt certain that Mr Bavin would take charge of the House when the count was announced The House then adjourned till Monday. Arrangement With the Premier. The defeat of the censure motion was brought about by a. last-minute arrangement between Mr. Lang and Mr. Loughlin and the latter’s supporters, the Premier giving an assurance that when the House met on Monday he

would ask for four months’ Supply and then applv ’to the Governor for a dissolution. The three breakaways on these conditions decided that they would support Mr. Lang both to defeat the censure motion and to carry Supply. Parliament, therefore, if the Governor grants a dissolution, will end this month, and the Budget proposals new taxes, and other legislation will be thrown overboard.

FRUITLESS EFFORTS TO EFFECT SETTLEMENT OPPOSITION TO DICTATORSHIP Sydney, November 22. Strenuous efforts were made during the week-end to effect a settlement with Messrs. Loughlin, Goodin and Gillies, but they remained obdurate, and all efforts were fruitless. It is rumoured that a section of the Labour Party, with a view to a settlement, suggested that Mr. Lang should stand down, but Mr. Lang’s supporters made it clear that they wanted him to faee the situation and to place on the malcontents the responsibility of throwing the Government out of office. The Labour caucus held a lengthy meeting in camera, and it was afterwards officially announced that the situation was fully discussed. It was decidea t< await developments in the House to-dav. At the Australian Labour Party s executive meeting, Mr. T D. Mutch, Minister of Labour, disagreed with Mr. Lang’s view that if an election were held immediately the Labour Party would obtain 47 seats. He thought, owing to the position which had arisen over the dictatorship, they might not get more than 30 seats. Mr. Hutch continued that he was vigorously opposed to the position created by a resolution of the conference making the Premier a dictator He would not consider, however, anv proposal to vote against the partv. _He added t.hqt Hie appointment of a dictator had done the partv much harm, and the Atctntorshin meant that Ministers were like a lot of school children who had to carry out the orders of the dictator. The committee appointed to meet Messrs Goodin and Gillies endeavoured to discuss the situation with them, hut both refused to do .anything excent in the presence of Mr. Loughlin. The committee also visited Mr. Loughlin and discussed the matter at length. It is understood that Mr Loughlin ae-llved to reconsider his decision, and said that unless Mr. Lang resigned the leadership of the party nothing could be dono<