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Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1932, Page 4

Mr John Thomas Lang, the “stormy petrel” of the Labour Party in Mew South Wales, has concluded liis second term as Premier of the State in ttie (same spectacular manner that has characterised his actions from his first appearance in public life. Mr Lang wars born at Sdyney in December, 18Vti. For eleven years he was an alderman of the city of Auburn and for two its mayor. Elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1913, he gradually came, forward as. a firm advocate of the Labour cause. In tne Labour Government of 1920 he was Treasurer, and when it fell in 1922 became leader of the Opposition. After the, elections of 1925 he was made Premier and Treasurer. Called a oßotator by his opponents, Mr Lang was one of the most hated men in ‘Australia. Well over six feet, broadshouldered and massive-jawed, he was the “iron man” of Australian Labour. While, however, he had a sense of dramatic action which appealed to the imagination of the masses, he bad little personal popularity and did not court it. Puling the State Parliamentary Labour Partv with a firm hand, he would tolerate no opposition within is ran las. One of hie first acts a.s Premier was to start a constitutional conflict with the Governor, Admiral Sir Dudley do Chair. His object wit*' to obtain a free hand for the Legislative Assembly bv getting rid c" the Legislative Council (Upper Huutsc) and of “imported Governors'’ and “Downing Street rule.” That e'l-eggle was carried on into Sir Philip Game’s term of office and is now nendiog the decision of the Privy Council.