LANG MINISTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1932, Page 5

LANG MINISTRY

CHANGED PLANS

MORE CONMONWEALTH POWER. (Australian Press Association.) (Received this day at 10 15 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 30. In view of the latest developments in the financial dispute between the Commonwealth and State it seems that the bang Ministry lias changed its plans, and it is probable that a Bill, to amend the Audit Act and validate its breaches/ will be brought down during the Parliamentary sittings next week. Drastic financial measures will also he delayed, andi the Ministers hope that the Privy Council decision on the Upper House- abolition will he delivered within a few weeks. If it is, the Government will not resign. J.f the verdict is deferred for a considerable time, a general election, probably in June, is regarded in political Labour circles as inevitable.

Still more powers have been taken by the Commonwealth in the new regulations .under the Enforcement Act in the special gazette. These empower the Commonwealth to requite any State Minister, or officer, to furnish returns, reports, or .statements, showing what documents, relative to any classes of revenue specified, bad been received, or issued, by the Minister or officer, whether copies were made, and in whose custody or control the documents, or copies, were.

Under l:his power the Commonwealth intends to compel the State authorities to diselo-.e the whereabouts of its taxation and other financial documents. ,Should they be hidden in an attempt to fore vail the Commonwealth enforcement, the opinion -in Commonwealth circles is that, within a week, the Lang Government will be entirely without resources. •Some fears are expressed that the situation may provoke disturbances in Sydney on May Day, and the situation is being closely watched from Canberra.