REBUKED!

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 19

REBUKED!

LIEUTENANT GOYEENOE

AUSTRALIAN INCIDENT

Events at tile annual inaugural banquet of the Lord Mayor of Melbourno took an extraordinary turn when interjections and personal attacks were indulged in (says the "Sun-Nows Pictorial"). During an appeal for sound methods in national finance by tho .Lieutenant Governor (Sir William Irvine) several guests interjected and heckled him, and scenes approaching disorder followed when tho Chief Secretary (Mr. .Tunneclift'c) made a personal .reply. Be rebuked tho'Lieutenant Governor •for political references in his speech by stating that tho present was not the Mine for anyone to' indulgo iv, cheap pessimism or pulpy optimism. "When Sir William Brunton accused ilhe Federal Labour Caucus of passing a, resolution which was tantamount to repudiation of Australia's debts, Dr. Maloncyr M.H.K.> inlorjeotcd, "That's a Ho." "There can be only one question uppermost in our minds to-night," said Sir William, Irvine. "That is the peril and danger confronting our country. "Tho scries of blows which hud fallen upon Australia, foil upon, people psychologically unprepared to muot ■Ihem. Australians had enjoyed unprecedented wealth, productiveness,.. and progress for many years, .undisturbed by any idea of danger. "NOT COMPLETE." "Tho awakening has been buddon, and I do n6t think it is yet complete," he continued. "Some have yet to realise that wo have to leave a higher level for a lower one, and that we must walk tho lower path with fortitude. ",We are facing problems which, although not new iii history, are new to ns." We are equipped neither by experience nor education to deal with them. '•'I have no reason to cloak thu danger or peril which confronts us—it is inflation. "I have read the arguments of those •who think there is no need to faco Australia's obligations this year. Such failure would have its worst effect on the,poorer classes, and for that reason alone should be deeply considered as a political argument. "I have no f«ar for tho future of Australia. There are cleai- signs alldady that Australians are determined to pay their obligations to tho last i'arthirig," Sir William Irvine concluded. NOT ADVOCATING INFLATION. "While the Government of Victoria Remains in the hands of Mi1. Hogan and any colleagues "Victoria's honour and (financial integrity are in safe keeping*" Mr. Xunnccliffc began, amid applause. "This is not. the time for anyone to indulgo in cheap pessimism or pulpy optimism. A gathering of business ;poople such as this should be looking ionvard hopefully and courageously to;(vards tho futuro, and planning lo lift Australia out of the economic and industrial slough into which it has fallen. "We must not forget that thcro are rtyro problems facing tho worldl—inflation and unemployment. "Xo member of the party I represent [has advised inflation. They want to lift Australia to a higher sphere. There ns no danger of inflation, from the .'Uabour Party. It will preserve Aus'lralia's credit inviolate. , I ""Th6 iral danger is in Ihe im-reiis-1 iui£ number of ■unemployed."