REFERENDUM VOTING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 277, 19 August 1944, Page 6

REFERENDUM VOTING

Decision In Australia In Balance SYDNEY, August 18. Bitter exchanges have marked the last days of campaigning for the Wider Bowers referendum tomorrow. The Government may receive a majority of votes, but the lack of a majority of the States may result in defeat. To alter the Constitution the referendum must be carried not only by a majority of the electors, but by the majority of the States. Three States are regarded as likely to favour wider Federal powers, two to be against them, while the vital sixth State is doubtful. The “Yes’’ States may be New South Wales. Victoria, and Western Australia. The “No” States are likely to be Queensland and Tasmania (both of which have Labour Governments). South Australia is doubtful. Mr. Curtin has made a final appeal for the transfer of power. In a brief, trenchant speech he declared: “By distortion, lying, and vilification, sectional interests have done everything in their power to deny the people the right in peace to enjoy the things for which the national existence was staked in war.” The Opposition leader, Mr. 11. J. Menzies, making a final radio appeal for the “No" case, said : "No country recovered from the last depression quicker than did Australia —without extra powU Jle added that a single vote'for all the 14 powers sought was a denial of democratic freedom. The granting of the powers would sound the death-kuell of that freedom.