THWARTED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 139, 10 December 1930, Page 11

THWARTED

N.S.W. GOVERNMENT

CLASH WITH GOVERNOR

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, 4th December.

How disconcerting it must bo to the Premier of Now South Wales, that Labour stalwart, Mr. J. T. Lang, to have tho plans lie had mapped out for his Government thwarted by the Governor (Sir Philip Game), whose very office he would abolish had he the power to do so! Mr. Lang has always been accustomed to dictating. His followers have invariably fallen in behind, as it were, and he lias had his own way. The crisis with, the Governor over appointments to the Legislative Council, with the idea of flooding that Chamber with Labour supporters arose with surprising suddenness. In fact, his first interview with the Governor on the subject ended in a dead-lock, and on Tuesday he dramatically moved the adjournment of the Legislative Assembly on the ground of "urgent public business.'' The outcome of his negotiations with the Governor will be watched with the utmost interest, especially ] as the appointments were for the purpose of carrying out a very important part of his policy—the abolition of the Legislative Council. Mr. Lang clashed with the former Governor (Sir Dudley lie Chair) over the same matter, and as he did not get all his own way on that occasion ho realises that he is up against a very stiff proposition. When he asked Sir Dudley in 1925 to appoint 25 members to the Council the Governor said that 15 would be sufficient. The dispute on that occasion lasted for nearly a month. Mr. Lang sent the Governor a long letter in which he set forth 14 main reasons why tho appointments should be made. The principal of these was that important Bills passed by tho Assembly had been rejected by the Council. The letter also contained a long statement upon the constitutional rights of the Governor. Sir Dudley then, said that he would cable the Imperial authorities, and he asked for Mr. Lang's concurrence in this. This was refused, so Sir Dudley sent the cable on his own account. Later,- Sir Dudley informed Mr. Lang (hat tlio Dominions authority had cabled that it conld offer no advieo; the matter was entirely one between the Governor and tho Premier. Sir Dudley put one interpretation on tho cable:: JNlr. lifnifj put another. A con-j fi'iTiieo was held, and Sir Dudley said thai; In; would give a decision later. Ho then asked the Premier if ho intended to abolish the Council, and ho then intimated his willingness to appoint 15 members, but no more. Mr. Lang refused to agree to this, and accused Sir Dudley of having rejected Ministerial advice. More correspondence and further conferences took place. Tlie Governor then said that ho would agree to appoint 25 members, but only under protest. It was generally considered that Mr. Lang this year 'would cause friction over the number of appointments that were to bo made, but it is understood that tho real reason for the disputo with Sir Philip Game is that Mr. Lang is anxious to make the appointments before the Council vote has been tested to see whether the Council would assist the Government to carry out its legislative programme. It Iws been contended in political circles (hat as tho Governor had refused the advice that, was tendered to him the Government should resign and appeal to the coiuir

try. This view has already been eon-1 sidered by the Cabinet. It is likely, however, that before taking such a drastic step the Government will first of all submit its abolition proposals to the Council, and if these are rejected it can apply to the people for a mandate. It is noteworthy that the Government has received 1347 applications from Labour men who are anxious for appointment to the- Upper House. Even though the Council is to be abolished— if Mr. Lang has his way—each member appointed would be entitled to a railway and tramway pass over the whole of Australia for life. So no wonder there is a rush of applicants for a position that cannot exist longer than a few weeks, and for which there is no salary. On tho occasion when Mr. Lang appointed 25 f his supporters to tho Legislative Council he failed to achieve his purpose, for some of the men he appointed liked their new job, and the privileges that went with it, so well that they refused to vote themselves out. This was a severo blow to Mr. Lang and to the Labour movement generally. And there is no guarantee that the same thing will not happen again.