N.S.W. POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1931, Page 6

N.S.W. POLITICS

MOTION OF CENSURE

(Australian Press Association)

SY DNEY. January 20

There was an unprecedented and dramatic move by the Premier, Mr Lang, at the New South Wales Legislative Assembly re-opening tin's afternoon, when he moved a motion of censure oil the Leader of the Opposition, Mr T. Bavin and the former Treasurer Mr Stevens. Mr Lang declared that they, had made unwarrantable, untruthful and disloyal statements calculated to injure the credit of the State. Mr Lang’s attack is based on the statements that were made at the last State election campaign. He alleges that Messrs Ravin and Stevens amt certain other Nationalists candidates with Mr Ravin’s approval, led the electors to believe that if Labour were returned the people’s savings would he filched by tlie Labour Ministry from the Government Savings Bank. Air Lang pointed out that, as the result of these suggestion of rumours of a similar character, there had been substantial withdrawals by the Government Savings Rank depositors, and stated [hat the Commissioners of the Rank had written to him expressing their deep concern in regard to Hie ultimate possibilities. Air Ravin interjected“l presume you will (follow this up with a motion of our expulsion. Anyhow, I invite | it,”

Other Opposition members should derisively {,o Air Lang:—“Who are vou? Off with their heads!’

SYDNEY, January 20,

hi the Assembly, Mr Bavin, replying to Mr Lang’s motion, described it as the product of a lunatic asylum, and said that although it was such there was not the slightest doubt Mr Lang’s party would carry it, lie (Bavin), wondered whether Mr Lang was quite safe to govern tills beautiful country.

An interjector asked:—“Wlmt do

you moan!'”

Air Bavin replied: “I mean lie is not quite safe to be at the head of the affairs of this State.” He said that only yesterday one newspaper hud to brand Air Lang as a liar as a result of 1 1 is denial that he had not sought, financial aid from the Loan

Council. It- was quite obvious that tlie Premier now desired to cover up his tracks by asking Parliament to carry this motion, which would make it the laughing stock of Australia. ATr Bavin said he challenged Mr Lang, or any member of tlie Party, to. find one word in his, (Bavin’s) election speeches which was calculated to cause alarm among the depositors of the Savings Bank.

Air Stevens deplored that time should be wasted over such a childish

motion. He said that during the election, speeches were made b.v certain Labourites which did infinitely more harm to the credit of Australia than anything that was said about the Government Savings Bank. The motion was carried on a strictly party division.

.MR LANG’S ATTITUDE

SYDNEY, January 20,

Tito publication in the “Herald” of Premier Lands’ letter to the Loan Council created a political sensation. Mr Lang refused to see pressmen, hut to-day states that his letter to the Loan Council did not disprove Tiis statement that New South Wales was not appealing; to the Loan Council for financial assistance. He points out that States Treasury hills were no longer accepted by tin* banks as security for advances to the States, but only Commonwealth Treasury bills. Tin* Australian Labour Party Exccnt’ve. defying the request by MY Seullin that the Labour Caucus should lie held before the Parlies campaign terminates has instructed its members not to attend the caucus. This disagreement, if it does have serious political consequences is regarded as a significant indication of the relations between the Australian Labonw Party and the State Executive, and the Kederal Partv leader.