There is some suggestion that if the Governor had not intervened then a revolution or even civil war could have taken place in New South Wales.

Documents examined by Moore show the seriousness of the situation leading up to the dismissal. For many, Lang’s response to the worsening economic crisis was inappropriate and even hostile.

One critic saw Lang as a ‘criminal lunatic’. Another hoped that ‘if only lightning would strike the brute and obliterate him from the stage he so dangerously stalks’.

For many, Lang was simply an out of control socialist who needed to be stopped. Moore believes that many of the social, economic and political difficulties which beset the Lang administration were the consequences of a government trying to ensure its survival.

The protracted legal manoeuvre which surrounded Lang’s attempt at destroying the Upper House and Lang’s repudiation of loan interest repayments were two central issues to the problem of maintaining law and order in New South Wales.

The players who emerged as either supporters or detractors of Lang and the tactics employed by them toward their cause were complicated by various allegiances, claims and counterclaims.

The central conflict was one of State and Commonwealth relations aided and abetted by the British government and the Dominions Office. Added to this was the breakdown in the relationship between the State and Commonwealth law enforcement and security agencies in reply to demands for a solution to growing civil unrest.

The rise of the so-called New Guard against the Old Guard and their respective sympathies to the police, the military forces and either Lang or the Commonwealth further added to a climate of uncertainty, mistrust and provocation.

Battle lines were also being drawn not only between the various interest groups but across geographical divides such as the bush and the city.

So what could have happened if Lang had remained in power? Moore believes that civil strife was a reality and was very close. It is likely that the Commonwealth had plans to bring down the Lang government and if necessary by force.

The force may have come from the Commonwealth’s own agencies or through more covert sympathisers. If force were used then undoubtedly outraged supporters of Lang would need to be subdued.