TROUBLE AHEAD

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1932, Page 5

TROUBLE AHEAD

FOR MR LANG

STATE FINANCES LOW. (United Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, April 12. The Commonwealth Government having mow made it very difficult for Mr Lang to finance public utilities much longer, the opinion i-s generally shared that an election is inevitable at ah early date. Arr.-uigenu.-nts were made to-day to pay the public servants their salaries oil Thursday, and to provide cash sufficient |.o cover the widows’ pensions a-; the end of ‘die week. The Commonwealth's intervention lias caused great confusion in banking affairs, and cheques from all parts of the State are being returned 'to the State Treasury marker! '-Refer to Drawer.” Treasury officials are now drawing np new arrangements for meeting the family endowment- and widows' pensions, and the- {storekeepers’ accounts for food relief. The. lottery prizes are being paid m •hard cash over the counter, instead ot, as heretofore, by cheque, Mr Lung goes to Melbourne to-night to attond the. Premiers’ Conference, which primarily will discuss measures to relievo unemployment. Political circles -think the Government will have to go to the country-(Tt'i-s said that Mr Lang has prepared his policy speech, and only awaits what he considers a favourable moment for an appeal to the people.

ORDER BY STATE PREMIER

FOR PAYMENT OF REVENUE

SYDNEY, April 12

The “Telegraph” says that Mr Lang has issued an order to all departments to pay revenue direct to the Treasury. This came too late to save between -£60,000 and £70,000 banked by the Stamp Duties Office on Suiturday. This now automatically comes into Federal possession. Mr Lang has the best part of £1,250,000 -to pay the public service, but when this is exhausted it is impossible to see where he will gi(: the. ’money. A month’s wages and salaries would absorb practically the whole Treasury cash,, so by the end of April, the public service face the possibility of a “Black Thursday.’ The “Herald” says: The State. Government is drafting a Bill to compel the taxpayers, who paid their State income tax to the Commonwealth, to pay additional taxation to the New South Wales Government. -Sucli legislation, if submitted to the. Legislative Council, would almost certainly be rejected.

EARLY ELECTION PREDICTED. (Received this day at 9.25 a.mSYDNEY, April 13. The. “Telegraph” says: “To prepare for an early election all electoral councils of the State Australian Labour Party have been summoned to a special conference at 11io Trades Hall oil Saturday Through the Australian Labour Party at its Easter Conference decided that the next State election would be fought on Socialisation, it is stated by Messrs Garden and Graves, party supporters, that this will hamper the Government’s chance of being returned. It is also understood that Mr Lang indicated to the Party executive that the election is to be fought solely on questions of secession and hanks. Pic will not agree to a socialisation plank The United Australia Party expects a State election within three month:-.