POLITICAL CRISIS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1926, Page 7

POLITICAL CRISIS

NEW SOUTH WALES SPLIT A DISSOLUTION FORCED CENSURE MOTION LOST UPROAR IN THE HOUSE Br Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 22, 10.45 p.m. •Sydney, Nov. 22. When Parliament met this morning, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bavin, moved, as a matter of urgency, that standing orders be suspended to enable him to. move a no-contidenec vote. This was carried by 45 votes to 44, Messrs. Loughlin, Goodin and Gillies voting against the Government. Mr. Bavin then moved “That the House should record its disapproval of the Premier’s adherence to his public declaration that he was prepared to accept the dictation of an extra-Pariia-mentary authority in the discharge of his public duties, and that for this and other reasons the Premier does not possess the confidence of the House.” Mr. Bavin declared that the administration bad been brought to a level never before touched in the history of the State. Finances were in a hopeless state and the railways were inextricably involved. Mr. Lang had tried to subvert the Constitution of the State behind the backs of the people, even invoking the assistance of the Secretary of State for the Dominions in his efforts and he. had committed the unpardonable offence of heaping indignities on the head of the Governor. v According to Mr. Lang's statement at the recent Labour Conference, he and the Government were holding themselves responsible to that outside, non-eleetive body, which was the real Government of the State. This was a complete abdication of the responsibilities of the Premiership. THE PREMIER'S REPLY. Mr. Lang, in his reply, defended the position regarding the finances and the railways. With reference to the movement for the abolition of the Legislative Council, "speaking honestly and with conviction,” he declared before God that “he believed bribery' of the most corrupt and despicable kind had occurred to defeat his efforts for securing the abolition of that House.” Mr.'Lang added that, if the opportunity remained, he would insist on his abolition proposals being put through. He asserted that between himself and the Governor there had been nothing but the greatest courtesy. Dealing with the charges that he had been acting as a dictator, Mr. Lang said he was not ashamed of the Labour Conference. He was the servant of the people amt not their master, and had fearlessly endeavoured to carry out the pledges he had made on the platform. The Labour Party had fought the jiower of the Press and the machinations of their opponents in the face of almost insuperable odds. They were prepared to gire up place and power before they would stoop to conquer by dishonesty. Mr. P. Loughlin said it was not his intention to give to the Nationalists what he proposed to take away from the Labour Party. He was unable to go to the country under the proportional electoral system, so he proposed to force a general election and let the people decide. He then attacked Mr. Lang on the grounds of the latter’s neglect of rural legislation, and said' Mr. Lang had not been elected the leader of the party by a free vote from his followers. A free gathering of caucus members meant nothing to Mr. Lang. - There was- no parallel between Mr. Lang's position and that of the leader of any other party in the-world. It was unprecedented. Mr. Loughlin concluded with the declaration that he and two other members with him, were proud of being in rebellion, but they most certainly would not hand the legislation of the State over to the Nationalists. THE REDS IN CONTROL. Mr. Loughlin said the Reds had got control of the last Labour Conference aud Mr. Lang held them. Gradually, but surely, they were getting control of the party and the Government. He then referred to the bribery charges and said there had been an infamous imputation against the members of the caucus, and later Mr. Lang deliberately set himself to frustrate or side-track the inquiry which was demanded. Later Mr; Lang made a statement that as soon as he could get Cabinet together he would appoint a Royal Commission to see how certain members of the Legislative Council had brought about the defeat of the Council Abolition Bill. The censure motion was defeated by 44 to 42. Messrs. Loughlin, Goodin and Gillies refrained from voting, and Mr. Skelton, the Independent Labour member voted with the Government. When the result was announced the House was turned into a Bedlam, and was adjourned amid scenes of uproar that have not been seen for many years. The result was totally unexpected by the Opposition, who were certain that Mr. Bavin would take charge of the House when the count was announced. The House then adjourned till Monday. The defeat of the censure motion was brougth about by a last minute arrangement lietween Messrs. Lang and Loughlin and the latter’s supporters, the Premier giving an assurance that when the House met on Monday he would ask for four months’ supply and then apply to the Governor for a dissolution. The three breakaways, on these conditions, decided that they would support Mr. Lang both to defeat the censure motion ami to carry supply. Parliament, therefore, if the Governor grants a dissolution, will end this month and the budget proposals, npw taxes and other legislation will be thrown overboard. Received Nov. 23, 1.20 a.m. Sydney, Nov. 22. Tim election will probably be held in February.