LANG’S WARNING

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1932, Page 5

LANG’S WARNING

OVER WAGE CUT IF IT COMES INTO OPERATION. (Australian Press Association.) MELBOURNE, April 15. The keynote of Mr Lang, the New ,South Wales Premier’s speech at Hie Premiers’ Conference to-day was the need for the suspension of the oversea interest payments. Mr Lang said : “In our present desperate .straits, it is not an unfair request to make. I have been reliably informed that if that request, .is made, it would be granted. I warn the Governments, in all seriousness, that if they attempt to put this wage cut plan into operation, they will continue as Governments only with 'the aid of the policeman’s baton! Twelve months ago the experts told us that their plan would be the salvation of Australia. 1 questioned their prediction, and here we are to-day, as badly off as ever, debating another plan, which is aimed at doing the same thing. “Twelve months hence, probably yet another plan will be trotted out in ordei to correct more unexpected factors, and sO tlie farce will continue Indefinitely. The Labour Movement in New South Wales will have nothing to do with a Gypsy mode of living, but the leas'; that it has expected of fellow A us. Italians wins that the people of thCommonwealth should be asked to work for their keep, which is l:he underlying principle of the economic experts’ report.” Mr Lang emphasised 'that the thirtysix million (pounds which are ordinarily sent abroad for .interest should be kept here in order to provide jobs for the world-ss, whose desperate plight is being used to smash wages, and (industrial conditions and the Workers’ Federation.

SUPPORT FOR REHABILITATION

FROM STATE PREMIERS.

MELBOURNE, April 15.

At 'the Premiers’ Conte'''nee. the Premiers of Western Australia and /Queensland, whilst they said they " erß desirous of making the rehabiltation plan a success, expressed their opposition to the proposal for a flat ra*e reduction of wages, which, they said, was likely to lead to further hardship. The conference then adjourned till Monday.

QUESTION OF TOTALIZATOR

SYDNEY, April 15

The Premiers’ Office to-day nokifi'd the Moorfield Racing ■" 07 ub that the totali-sator must hot he meeting to-rnofrow. This prevent the Common wealxh from "obtaining tiny revenue! from this quarter: 'The Taing G-overnnssut has a.so placed an embargo on the totalisation, a forthcoming pony meeting.

LYONS ATTACKS LANG

ECHO TO PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE

(Received this day at 9-25 a.nii MELBOURNE. April 16. Commenting on Mr Lang’s speech at :be Premiers’ Conference, Mr Lyons said thalt Mr Lang was running *riw to form. “He burst forth with a speech made up of .a tissue of misrepresentation rad bitterness, and |:his was his only coiAribution towards the aleviation ot unemployment. He left for Sydney, casting "aside all semblance of British honesty and square dealing, and coming out in his true colours. His statement ti:e proposed abolition of thArbitration Courts was sheer fabrication.” . , ,‘Mr Lang wants to pay no -interest and spend more- borrowed money. He obviously does no\: want to relieve unemployment, but wants to continue his policv* of keeping as many of his -sup- ( porters on full time works, and m- j creasing the ranks of 'die dole receiveis , until the system breaks clown, when he will bring forward a -Socialistic plan He desires to prevent;, the unemployed from benefiting under th-e Relief Loan ■Scheme. Mr Lang’s proposals can only bring ruin to the producers, the Savings Bank depositors, and 'the big bony of' unemployed and unemployed work--41 The Sydney "Telegraph’s” Melbourne correspondent says that Tasmania alone accepted the economic plan, subject to reservations and it is thought that South Australia will do the same. Western Australia falls infto Hue only as far as the exchange i-s concerned. Mr Lang and the Victorian delegate. Mr Tunned i th-', condemned the proposals, and Queensland may he laken as having also decided against i 1