LABOUR POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1932, Page 5

LABOUR POLICY

LANG’S ADDRESS

INTERNAL NEEDS FIRST,

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, May 26

Mr J. T. Lang, Leader of the New South Wales Labour Parliamentary Paity, to-night gave a speech, in which lie announced the State Labour Party’s policy, at Auburn, Sydney.

The ex-ljremie..-, Mr Lang, cendemn- . cd the attitude of the other Austra- | lian Governments in attempting t<> meet oversea interest . payments that amounted to thirty-six mil.ions a year, rather than to seek a moratorium. He said that if his Party were returned to power, they would contribute only so much towards the payment of this overseas interest as remained after tho pressing internal requirements had been satisfied. Any temporary suspension of interest payments, he said, would not bring salvation, nor would any tinkering with wages, as was provided for in tho Premiers’ Plan. To solve their problems, immediate relief would be found in the La.ng Plan, by greatly reducing the interest charges, and also by compelling tho financial institutions to function in tlie interests of'tho community. His Government had somrht to do that, by levying heavy taxation on the banks and the big financial institutions. His Government was right on the eve of victory when tho hand of the assassin struck, swift and unerring. Arrayed against his Government, said Mr Lang, there were the newspane’s of the whole of the Commonwealth. while tlie Courts showed that they were prepared to twMst the Jaw. thus giving it an interpretation that benefited alone the great financial institutions. Mr Lang continued: “The hostile Tinner House did its best to snatch the fruits of victory from the neoifie. but on June 11th. the polling day, th e dagger would he retrieved from the assassin, and the power to make the laws would come from Parliament alone.’’

BIG DEBENTURE ISSUE

LANG DENOUNCES THE COURTS

SYDNEY May 26

Continuing his sneech, Mr Lang said that the State Labour Party asked for a clear mandate to take all of the steps necessary to keen the Courts o c New South Wales free from political bias.

Mr Lang went on to exrdaiu how his Mortgage Tax Bill would 1 1 e enabled the Government to find millions of money for the unemployed. He indicated that the vested interests would have tried, through tlm Court to prevent its enactment. Ho antiemrted thov would do so again. He added:— “The High Court rejects our legislation. We shall hvno+hieate three rerpnne from the Unemployment Tax, and bv issue of. debentures for twentyone million pounds, shall, get back into employment the hulk oi the workless.”

He contained : ‘“So that these debentures will retain their value, the Government will accept them as payment of income tax, and will retire the certificates ns they fall dee. If. means that we are organisin'! the future prosperity of those who are in work to relieve the present, necessities of those who are out of work. II tlm High Court gives a legal decision, and not. a political decision. this course will not he necessary, because the Mortgage Tax that we originally had in view will give us all the money tlmt wo want.”

Mr Lang attacked Ihe Governor (Sir Philip Game), tlm newsroom's and the financial institutions. He also complained o'’ the Commonwealth Government’s persecution.

Mr Lang promised, if elect'd, an extension of the moratorium for three years, also concessions to tlm country settlors, and further social benefits to those who are in need.