MR LANG—AND A DISSOLUTION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 6

MR LANG—AND A DISSOLUTION

Not for long does the modern State Legislature-in New South Wales go without its sensation. Under the Labour regime the intervals between these shocks have become briefer and briefer.

The gentleman who has put Mr Lang in his right place is the colleague who recently challenged his leader for the command of the political party, and was defeated only on a mere formality. For some time prior to that contest, and subsequently, this Mr Loughlin has been at-no pains to hide his displeasure, if not contempt, at the tactics of the Premier and the Willis coterie who practically “run” the Premier. Willis is the leader of the Council, and an- ambitious, pushful man, with, it is reported, a remarkable capacity for intrigue. If memory serves, he first made his mark as organiser of the miners in the State. Tired of the dictation of this “boss” and that “boss,” Mr Loughlin has broken with the political gangsters. He and two others have crossed the floor of the House, placing poor Mr Lang in a minority. The purpose (so it is said) behind this move is to force an appeal -- to the constituencies, and have the existing muddle cleared up. Anyhow, Mr Loughlin refused to reconsider his decision to force a dissolution unless Mr Lang retired from the leadership. Which reveals his private and public opinion of the rather pathetic Premier. The big trouble with Mr Lang seems: (i) He is too much himself—a real -disability; or (2) he is too much what the Caucus would have him be. Mostly, he is a lath painted to resemble iron. Events beginning with the attack on the Upper House have rubbed off patches of the paint, and Mr Loughlin has completed the job. The rebel chief makes it clear that he has not left Labour to help the Nationalists. We cannot fairly blame him for that. The official Opposition has not much to be proud of. Mr Bavin, who directs it, is not conspicuously a statesman, and there is little or no discovered brilliancy among his following. Probably what the Mother State’s political ailments need most—and will probably get —is a General Election. For example, it would be interesting to know how the electors view the proposal to abolish the Second Chamber.