UPPER HOUSE IN N.S.W.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20856, 16 May 1933, Page 9

UPPER HOUSE IN N.S.W.

COMMENT ON REFERENDUM PARTIES' INTERPRETATION. (UNITED riiF.BM ASSOC! ATION— IIY KLKCTIU.C TKLEOBAI'II—COI'VIIIOHT.) SYDNEY, May 14. The "Sydney Morning Herald," in a leading article on the Legislative Council reform referendum, says:— "The popular vote which passed the referendum on Saturday was a signal victory for the Government. Opponents of the bill used little valid argument against it, but had many factors to help them. It was an easy matter for the leaders of the Langist appeal to play upon the despondency of struggling citizens, and arouse in them resentment and passion rather than a desire to understand the facts." The "Labour Daily" says:— "Labour, despite heavy handicaps, polled a wonderful vote, which is a certain augury that Labour will win in the next Federal and State elections. Compared with the figures at the June election the poll showed an increased Labour vote of 100,000, and in effect was a vote of no-confidence in the Stevens Government. In no fewer than 13 electorates Nationalist majorities of 11 months ago were converted into Labour majorities, and in 12 other electorates large Nationalist majorities were reduced below a 1000 majority. Mr Lang's vote in Auburn, on the other hand, was increased by 4500. The "Daily Telegraph" says:— "To compare Labour's figures at the election with the referendum figures is misleading, as it is obvious that many people who voted against the Reform Bill did not intend their vote to be against the Government. This is particularly obvious on the North Shore and in Croydon, Mr Stevens's electorate." Mr J. T. Lang says the "campaign of terrorism and intimidation conducted by the Government and the newspapers succeeded in inducing the people to surrender their self-governing rights." COUNTING OF VOTES CONTINUED. MAJORITY FOR REFORM INCREASED. . (Received May 15, 10.33 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 15. The counting of votes in the referendum was continued to-day, and the majority for reform of the Upper House was increased. Twelve thousand postal and absent votes were checked. Two-thirds of them were for reform. The final result will not be known for several days, but the forecast of the Premier (Mr B. S. B. Stevens), that the referendum would be carried by 30,000 votes, is likely to be fulfilled.