The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1931. CRISIS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1931. CRISIS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Having &own the wind, continents the Otago Times, Mr Lang is now reaping the whirlwind. By his overweening determination to have his own way—if lie can get it—at any ebst, regardless of the Constitution, of the Melbourne agreement into which ho entered with the Premiers •of other States, and of the powerful influences in the vState which are opposed! to his poltical conjuring and financial juggling,, lie has invited the crisis which now confronts his Government. His irresponsibility and disregard of the opinions of anyone hut himself, and the subservience to him,of the parliament' ary following, have produced a deadlock the penalty of which mtist Unfortunately be piaid by the people iff New South Wales. His Government, bankrupt alike ill funds and public reputation, was unable last week to meet its liabilities to the public service of the State. Although means have apparently been found to provide sufficient wages that are due, no fewer than 23,000 members of the public service did not receive their salaries. The Legislative Council, claiming a constitutional authority that is not possessed by the Second Chamber in this Dominion, has set its face resolutely against Mr Lang’s weird scheme of salary reductions. Equally adamant against Mr Lang is the Loan Council, which refuses to make him any further advances unless and until lie honours the agreement arrived at by the Premiers in conference at Melbourne for the reduction of State expenditure. The humiliating position that has arisen must he intolerable to all reasonably-minded Australians within and without the State of New South Wales, the majority of whom will probably be le-s concerned with any irregularity that may be alleged in respect of the action of the Legislative Council than with the almost incredible effrontery of a politician who will do no more than lie is 1 forced to in the fulfilment of agreements and undertakings of the most binding nature. It would seem that there is only one means by which any Government that holds office iii New South Wales can expect to obtain the funds, necessary to maintain State services, and that is by giving effect to the Wei hour he agreement. ft Mr’ Lang were intentionally' tiding 'foe ft fall he could hardly have chosen a more likely method of achieving his object than has been adopted by him. He has in his own view of the matter suffered so much at the hands of the Legislative Council that it must be a matter of surprise not only to his opponents in the State, but also to any of his supporters who 'are capable of an unbiased consideration of the matter, that he has not proved the sincerity of the views he has expressed regarding the Upper Chamber by- proposing a referendum upon the question of its abolition. Tf, as he asserts, the people are behind him, what has he to fear from such a step that could be compared with the immense advantage he might expect to reap from the reovnl of a thorn so troublesome in his flesh ?