The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the west Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1932. N.S.W. POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the west Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1932. N.S.W. POLITICS.

The new Premier of New South Wales, Mr B. S. B. Stevens, lias a most difficult position to face, in the work he will have to carry out to bring peace to the troubled waters and chaos caused by the Lang administration during the past few months. While endeavouring to straighten up what is a most difficult anti unusual position, Air Stevens will have - 'to g’d'before ttie electors, and his programme when submitted to tlie people wi.l have much of inteiest, and in direct unposition to the policy carried out under tlie Lang regime. In the present state of public leeling it would seem impossible to conceive a. 'Government under Mr Lang being again returned to power. Though such an event is improbable, it is within the bounds of possibility. The Labour Party is particularly strong in New South Wales, stronger than in any other State of the Commonwealth. But the party itself is not united on Mr Lang s “plan.” The country members have shown plainly that they are opposed to his unmistakable leaning toward Sovietism. Moreover, rnafriy electors not of his own party are said to have helped to .swell his majority at the last election through the glittering promises he made that w/ag©B cuts would be reduced, if not eliminated, But to-day all classes in the State are worse off than ever. In a recent ■speech the new Premier', Mr Stevens, charged Mr Lang’s Government with deliberately withholding the payment of pensions, of all classes, child welfare benefits, and family endowments, in order, that the pensioners’ 'sufferings might .be used as a weapon, with which to resist the demands of the Federal Government. That is ' a shocking indictment. Whether; the Labour Party is defeated or not, however, the possibilities of broubib will! remain. ;The tlismis'sjrjl of the Lang Go% r ernment was so to speak, merely the first shot in the new war between am autocratic coterie of Socialist! extremes who pull the strings of the Parliamentary marionettes of the- Labour Party, and ithe rest of the community. One of the first actions of the new Government has been to arrange or the payment of the held .up benefit moneys, which will be welcomed by those to whom their pensions are their main' means of sustenance.