FINANCE CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1932, Page 5

FINANCE CRISIS

federal move EXPECTED AT ANY MOMENT. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY,’\pril 9. : The “Telegraph” says that t lieaction of .vlr Lang in cl osi j|g v certain sections ’of the Income Tax Department, did not draw the- Feedral Government into quick action. A high Cabinet Minister indicated that ■ the Federal Government would act first and announce afterwards in any move against Air Lang’s rebellious,- measures to- prevent the collectiv-S; .of State and Federal taxation.

The enforcement of the AcU’-provides a heavy penalty for breaches'of its provisions, and Air Lang coiUcf’ be prosecuted under these if he hampered operation of the Act.

It is unlikely that such prosecution would be launched at present, said Mr Lyons, ’ adding that for the present, the Federal authorities were waiting official advice from Air Lang about what steps lie- was taking..' „ Immediate action is being taken by the Commonwealth Government to obtain another certificate from the Auditor-General to convert- the extra amount of £1, 110,000 involved in the April default by Mr Lftng. Mr Lyons- denied the “Labour -Daily” report that the Federal Government contemplated seizing the people's savings in the Commonwealth Bank to liquidate the State default. He said: “There is not the slightest foundation for this malicious report.

COMMENT FROAI WESTRALIA

PERTH, April 9.

“It i-s most amazing,” said' Premier Alitchell, when referring to Lang’s action. “He cannot he allowed to defy the authority of the- High Court any more than any other citizen. His attitude damns Australia.”

ACTION BY -GOVERNMENT.

AWAITED WITH KEEN INTEREST.

SYDNEY, April 9.

The Federal Government have notyet taken any further -definite steps to counter Mr J. T. Lang’s obstructive action*.

More officials were working yesterday in the N.S.W. Taxation Office floors which were locked up on Friday, but the nature of their employment there has not been stated. This week, which has been of tne most melodramatic happenings in the political history of the State of . New South Wales', closed with no’suggestion of any compromise.

The citizens are awaiting the Commonwealth Government’s next move with keen interest.

11l the meantime, Mr Stevens, the new Lender of the New South Wales State United Party, and formerly N.S.W. Treasurer in the last Government, has visited Melbourne aud lias conferred with the Federal Ministers., There are New South Wales income tax payments- now being made freely to the Federal Government’s officers at the Commonwealth Bank.