N.S.W. PREMIER RESIGNS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1927, Page 1

N.S.W. PREMIER RESIGNS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

SYDNEY, nMy 26. The political situation was brought to a sensational climax to-dav, when a special meeting of the Executive Council met. The Prime Minister submitted a minute proposing the dissolution ot Parliament. The only Minister to support the Premier was Hon Air AVillis. The Governor- of the State, acting on the advice of the majority refused to grant the request, and lie immediately left tho meeting.

The Cabinet then adjourned. Mr Lang subsequently waited on the Governor and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister, which carried with it tho resignation of his Ministers. The Governor, Sir De Chair, accepted the resignation. The Governor then commissioned AllLang to form another Government on tho understanding that he dissolved Parliament at the earliest possible date.

The other Ministers did not know of Air Lang’s action till tliCy read of it in the papers, when it caused a sensation in political circles.

A special meeting of the Labour Caucus has been called for to-moiiow to consider the position. Meanwhile Air Lang is expected to announce the personnel of his new Cabinet, but the present Parliament is not likely to reassemble, as the Prime Minister's new commission has been granted on the understanding that an early election is to he held.

LANG’S COURSE. SYDNEY, Alay 26. NVhilo Lang’s action came as a thunderbolt to the Labour Party generally, it did not surprise tho members of tho Seale Executive, as they have been in close touch with the Prime Minister since the breakdown of the negotiations for pence in tho party which were instituted by the Federal Executive.

It is known that Air Lang advised tho Seale faction that lie would he in a position to go to the country with n reformed Afinistry, although the Aliuister.s in revolt against Air Lang have openly stated that such an action is not, possible. The Seale faction have already selected candidates in readiness for such an eventuality and it is now practically certain ‘that at H<e next election there will he two Labour Parties in the field. SYDNEY, May 26. The question of flic leadership of the anti-Lang Labour forces is already being discussed and the re-admission of Mr Loughlin to the Party, in order to obtain His leadership, is forecasted.

GOVERNOR’S TERMS.’ SYDNEY. Alay 26. The New South Wales Governor, Sir D. De Chair, in n statement says: At the conclusion of the meeting of the Executive Council, Air Lang waited on the Governor and tendered his resignation as Prime Alinister. Air Lang previously had advised His Excellency to dissolve Parliament, and the Governor was prepared to accept his advice, but Air Lang found hniseif at variance with the majority of Ids Ministers on this question. Accordingly, he had no alternative but to resign. The Govcinur thereupon recommended him to form a Ministry but only on the condition that a General Election would he held as early as possible, and that in the meantime, the Ministers would confine themselves exclusively to the routine matters of administration. Mr Lang accepted these terms, and he was granted a few days in which to form his new Afinistry. _____