STATE POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1932, Page 5

STATE POLITICS

N.S.W, FINANCE

NEW GUARD AND GARDEN.

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, June 8.

The Premier, Air Stevens, at Belmoie, stated that the average weekly revenue of Government departments excluding income tax collections, increased liy mole than one-third since liis party came into office. Though Mr Lang estimated that his Government deficit for tin’s year would he about six million pounds, Treasury figures submitted to Air Stevens showed a deficit of eleven millions seven hundred Thousand.

The Premier has released a police report on llm recent alleged assault on Alderman Garden, by members of the “New Guard.” According to the police, one of the persons alleged to have taken part in th e , assault, was subsequently found sitting in Mr Garden’s office waiting to be arrested.

The Premier also advised that copies of certain police reports regarding tile New Guard, had apparently been stolen, Mr Stevens said: “Ample evidence has been placed he ore me to confirm Air Weaver’s allegations in connection with the Now Guard-Garden episode, outlined by him in Parliament, (when lie alleged a Dame-up),

ROYAL COMMISSION. INTO RAILWAY AFFAIRS

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) , ' SYDNEY, June 9

A Royal Commission opened an inquiry into the conduct of Charles Goode, Chief Transport Commissioner while ho (Goode) was of the Railways Department prior to 1930. The main features of the inquiry, as outlined by the Crown are whether Goode granted preference to a certain carrying firm for the carriage of the railways goods and parcels. If, so, what was the consideration. Whether he received any precuniary benefit from a certain motor firm in connection with the purchase of lorries. Goode will also be asked to explain the receipt of a cheque for ’£loo from carrying contractors, whose contract was extended from one to three years. The hearing was adjourned to June 20.

QUEENSLAND'S GOVERNOR

SYDNEY, June 9,

The Governor Designate of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson, Lady Wilson; and their daughter, arrived at Sydney to-day by the Otranto, en route to Brisbane. They were cordially welcomed by the Queenslanders’ Association.

MR BAVIN RETURNS.

SYDNEY, June 9,

Air Bavin, a former leader of tho State Opposition, has returned from a health trip, thoroughly recuperated.

COMMONWEALTH BANK

INTEREST,

REDUCTIONS FROAI TO-DAY

SYDNEY, June 8.

The Commonwealth Bank announces that the interest rates on fixed deposits are being altered from to-day as follows:

Twenty-four months’ deposits: 3i pea’ cent, per annum,, which is a reduction of a half per cent.

Twelve months’ deposits: 3J- per cent., which is a reduction of a-quar-ter per cent.

Six months’ deposits: Three per cent, which rate is unchanged. From July lot. the Bank’s rate for advances are being fixed at a flat rate

of five, per cent. The Commonwealth Bank thus comes into lino with the Trading Banks, which reduced their fixed deposit rates last month.

LANG NOT CORRUPT

“MANY THINK HE IS MESSIAH."

AUCKLAND. June, 7

“Mr Lang’s mei’ftal attitude is the same as that of Lenin or Stalin. He is leading a crusade, and to thousands of people he is a Messiah. He is followed blindly and many people believe that lie is the only one who can lend New South Wales to the Promised Land.” So commented Afr J. AV. Dickson, of Auckland, on his return this morning from a two months’ visit to Sydney. Many people misinterpreted Mr I,aiig’s attitude, lie said. They thought that his policy was one of coirruptian. While there certainly had been open corrupt ion, yet Air Lang himself had not obtained the spoils. The late' Premier's friends had reaped the rewards of his position, hut Air Lang himself had noi been seduced hv monetary bribes, from li : « determination to break down the present economic conditions. “Tie is a political fanatic, and a’l the more dangerous hoeniiso of his fanaticism,” declared Air Dickson. II" did not think that Air Lang would lie e’ecle | to power next Saturday, for npn t from lii<s own paper, the “Lnl’our Dailv.” the whole Prams was thundering against him. To show how fierce, lhe I’arly light had linen, llr,em was the following na ruled on the I'lOiee at The Gag (notorious for (he number of suicides I here): “If you are. determined to commit /unhide, he a sport and shoot Lang first.”

ELECTION CAMPAIGN DISORDERS

LANG FOLLOWERS RESPONSIBLE,

SYDNEY, Juno 9

A lorrv containing a number of Mr I •Coleman's workers was waylaid bv j a gang of men at Auburn Last night i and attacked, one. man being admitted ! to the hospital. Coleman's supporters, i who were greatly outimmberd, were i dragged to the roadway, beaten and | kicked. Codeman, who is opposing jlLang in Auburn latter: stated that if tj these tactics were adopted by the opii -position he would arm his men.