The End of Langism The disharmony between the Commonwealth Govern-
ment, representing like our own an overwhelming majority of the electors, and the Socialist administrations of New South Wales and Victoria, has been brought to an end none too soon. Mr. Lang, the New South Wales Premier, had brought discredit on his Party and his State by his prolonged defiance of Commonwealth laws and his persistent refusal to pay interest on the State loans. When he instructed his officials to flout the Commonwealth, the Governor, Sir Philip Game, was virtually bound to exercise his prerogative by dismissing the Premier. There is every reason to suppose that the electors will give a majority to the new Ministry formed by Mr. Stevens, the leader of the Opposition. In Victoria the Labour Ministry had disintegrated during the absence of Mr. Hogan, the Premier, who is now in England, and the extremists, of Mr. Lang's type, had gained control. As the result, 'Labour was decisively beaten in last Saturday's elections, losing half its strength, and the United Australia Party with a clear majority of the House will form the new State Government. Mr. Hogan has explained that his party refused to listen to his moderate counsels, preferring to take their orders from the 'Labour Party caucus. Now that all the seven Australian Ministries, central and local, promise to work in accord, the credit of the Commonwealth will be strengthened and trade should revive.
* * * *
Previous page
