The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1931. STATESMANSHIP.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1931. STATESMANSHIP.

Tub Australian Federal Opposition, leader has realised his duty in this time of financial stress stress, and is assisting the Federal Government whole-heartedly This display of statesmanship by Hon. J. A. Lyon is to be commended, for it shows he has risen to the occasion, and places the country before his own party advantage, Hr Lyon was a. sometime memher of the Scullin Ministry, and along with Mr Fenton held the political fort, while Mr Scullin was in England. It was not a light task facing the extreme members of the Federal Ministry, hut Mr Lyon and his colleague succeeded' admirably. Following Mr S'cullin’s return, the Prime Minister went over to a section of his extreme colleagues, and both Mr Lyon and Mr Fenton left the Ministry on a matter of principle. Mr Lyon thus gave up Ministerial office, and became a private member. The condition of Australia, however, continued to drift, and the attitude of Mr Lyon was fully justified. It was at this stage that the Federal Opposition made room for Mr Lyon, and lie became the man of the hour, and was so acclaimed at a memorable meeting in Sydney. Since then the affairs of the Commonwealth have gone from had to worse, and Mr Scullin dropping his own financial policy, called conference of parties, and Mr Lyon appears again ns one of the Strong men of the team attempting to extricate Australia from the very serious financial plight the country is in. Addressing his “fellow Australians” over the air on Wednesday night, one could but he struck with a voice which rang clear and: true. Mr Lyon showed his statesmanship by not animadverting on his former colleagues, or those who had assisted in the drift. He made no reflections, but he was out to help the Ministry to pursue a course which accomplished, would help the country enormously. He gave a clear definition of the “bondholders” who were invited to make their sacrifice and so assist to achieve a great national result. There are £556 millions of Government bonds held in Australia, more than half of which is held by the public. The bonds represent the peoples’ savings spread over the whole community, and they were “partners” with the 'Government in the public estate. Mr Lyon gave a clear exposition of the financial position and the need for saving expendI iture due to the drop in reven.

no and loans to spend. Wages and war persions were being reduced by 20 per cent, and old age pensions by 12} per cent. Australia) paid £29 millions in interest in the Commonwealth, and the loan conversion at a reduced rate would be a great saving. Bluntly, he told the people, the State was not able to pay its way at present, and an adjustment was imperative. He knew the seriousness and urgency of the position, for .the country was in serious difficulties. He made a fine closing appeal to the people in their own interests and for the national honour to help save the country jn regard to which everything was at stake. Mr Lvon spoke, hopefully of the effect of the gesture desired to 'set the wheels in motion again, the alternative to which was default. The address was convincing as to the plight of the country and the serious import of the issue now before Australia. It also made plain the fact, that Mr Lyon lm.s a clear grip of the situation, one imbued with a. true sense of statesmanship for the benefit of his country. --