Jim SpearsHeores of Democracy Series. No 1.
June 27th 2008 13:53
It is important to remember yesterday’s heroes because appreciating history prevents bourgeoisation. If you don’t remember yesterday’s heroes good and evil might as well be abstract concepts.
It’s all about appearance in modern politics it can be the difference between success and failure. Consider Kim Beazley or Morris Iemma’s deflector shield face; no detail just the ancient stare towards the back of the room and beyond time. You’ve just go to maintain the appearance of leadership the rest will naturally follow. Crisis calls for decisive action; insight and reason are sacrificed to keep up appearances. The Great Depression produced the worst domestic economic and political crises because of so many atoms (people) were effected (nationwide unemployment reached 31% in 1932 best in the world) for so long (1929-1939).
One man’s state-centric selfishness nearly tore this great land apart. In the thirties tribal hatred was cool, divisions were clear and voting was identity. The best path to power was via clever affiliation. Enter the huge presence of Jack Lang, 6ft 4ins (193cm) with a powerful voice, silver-tongue with a savage political mind. A mayoral term (of Auburn 1909-11) a State seat for Parramatta in 1920 by June 1924 he was leader of the Labor party by May 1925 he was Premier. And back out by October ’27. Langy was considered a political animal prepared to sink to the lowest to win or appear comfortable. As The Depression started to open up angles for manipulation Langy came forward with “The Lang Plan” which advocated higher spending on public works and suspension of debt repayments to England (as well as doubling payments for a family’s first child – An Aussie policy classic!) In 1930 Langy was Premier of NSW once more.
Meanwhile in Melbourne Sir Otto Niemeyer presented the Bank of England’s proposals, the Melbourne Agreement (MA), to State and Federal leaders. The MA established a national economic policy which, crudely, saw dramatic cuts in government spending in order to meet loan repayments, keep export prices low and trade flowing. The conflict between the two plans generated headlines and a Federal-States Economic Conference in February 1931 promised to be an historical showdown. Well it wasn’t as balanced budgets were agreed to, drinks enjoyed and shoes sniffed before everyone went their separate ways brimming with hope.
‘cept for Langy he was burning with ambition
Once Niemeyer was out of the way Langy was able to secure the state party endorsement for his plan. On 1st April the NSW government had a loan payment due, in March Langy stood up and said “Nup.” PM Scullin made the payment on NSW’s behalf but Langy and his supporters got the shove from the Labor party as punishment. Lang Labour and Langites were born creating two Labor parties in Australia. PM Scullin enacted the Financial Agreement Act of 1931 but elections were forced soon after.
All the tribal hatred and close identity sent votes hell, west and crooked because two Labor parties and UAP led by former (successful) Labor treasurer Joe Lyons fragmented the vote. The Scullin government was demolished.
The UAP took over and Lyons said they would “check Lang with the law.” Finally a battle of historical dimensions. Langy was desperate. He withdrew 1,000,000 in cash from two Sydney banks and considered having Governor Game arrested, at one stage the armed forces were alerted, it was going to end but how?
By May 1932 NSW was, economically speaking, not part of Australia. Langy was summoned to the Governor and fired over a memo. Bit rough; no counselling session, first warning or anything.
Genuine historical heroes are hard to find in Australia but Scullin was willing to legislate when the going got tough. James "Schooners" Scullin: Hero of Democracy.
It’s all about appearance in modern politics it can be the difference between success and failure. Consider Kim Beazley or Morris Iemma’s deflector shield face; no detail just the ancient stare towards the back of the room and beyond time. You’ve just go to maintain the appearance of leadership the rest will naturally follow. Crisis calls for decisive action; insight and reason are sacrificed to keep up appearances. The Great Depression produced the worst domestic economic and political crises because of so many atoms (people) were effected (nationwide unemployment reached 31% in 1932 best in the world) for so long (1929-1939).
One man’s state-centric selfishness nearly tore this great land apart. In the thirties tribal hatred was cool, divisions were clear and voting was identity. The best path to power was via clever affiliation. Enter the huge presence of Jack Lang, 6ft 4ins (193cm) with a powerful voice, silver-tongue with a savage political mind. A mayoral term (of Auburn 1909-11) a State seat for Parramatta in 1920 by June 1924 he was leader of the Labor party by May 1925 he was Premier. And back out by October ’27. Langy was considered a political animal prepared to sink to the lowest to win or appear comfortable. As The Depression started to open up angles for manipulation Langy came forward with “The Lang Plan” which advocated higher spending on public works and suspension of debt repayments to England (as well as doubling payments for a family’s first child – An Aussie policy classic!) In 1930 Langy was Premier of NSW once more.
Jack Lang: NSW Premier 1925-27, 1930-32.
Once Niemeyer was out of the way Langy was able to secure the state party endorsement for his plan. On 1st April the NSW government had a loan payment due, in March Langy stood up and said “Nup.” PM Scullin made the payment on NSW’s behalf but Langy and his supporters got the shove from the Labor party as punishment. Lang Labour and Langites were born creating two Labor parties in Australia. PM Scullin enacted the Financial Agreement Act of 1931 but elections were forced soon after.
All the tribal hatred and close identity sent votes hell, west and crooked because two Labor parties and UAP led by former (successful) Labor treasurer Joe Lyons fragmented the vote. The Scullin government was demolished.
The UAP took over and Lyons said they would “check Lang with the law.” Finally a battle of historical dimensions. Langy was desperate. He withdrew 1,000,000 in cash from two Sydney banks and considered having Governor Game arrested, at one stage the armed forces were alerted, it was going to end but how?
James Scullin: Prime Minister of Australia 1929-32.
By May 1932 NSW was, economically speaking, not part of Australia. Langy was summoned to the Governor and fired over a memo. Bit rough; no counselling session, first warning or anything.
Genuine historical heroes are hard to find in Australia but Scullin was willing to legislate when the going got tough. James "Schooners" Scullin: Hero of Democracy.
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