VICTORIA WITH NOES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 278, 21 August 1944, Page 6

VICTORIA WITH NOES

Latest Referendum Figures (Received August 21, 1.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 20. When the counting of votes in the referendum ceased tonight it was shown that Victoria, which earlies had a major-, ity for “yes,” has changed to a "no’ majority, so four States — New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania—have majorities for "no” and two States —Western Australia and South Anstralia —have majorities for “yes. ’ The figures for the Commonwealth at present are: —“No,” 1,733,978; ‘ Yes, 1,506,846, giving a “No” majority ot 227.132. The figures for the States are :— New South Wales: “No,’ 6J4,ii3; "Yes,” 586,742. „ Victoria: 491,169. _ „ „ Queensland: "No, 22u,6i0; Yes, South Australia: “No,” 1.>0,280; “Yes,” 158,373. „ . .Western Australia: “No,” Si.iou; “Yes,” 92,837. „ Tasmania; “No,” 67,920'; ‘ Yes. 40,997. Wants New Proposals. In expressing disappointment over the result of the referendum, the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, said he would be prepared to give careful and sympathetic consideration to any positive proposals submitted by the “no” advocates, because they and the advocates of the referendum apparently believed that the present powers of the Commonwealth Parliament were inadequate. Mr. Curtin added: "The approach to the people at the referendum was made under all kinds of difficulties and was prejudiced by the Commonwealth’s preoccupation with the war and by irrelevancies which have marked every referendum submitted since the federation was established.” There is no likelihood that, the Government would proceed with any of its proposals in the States which supported the referendum, nor will it regard as operative the legislation passed by the New South Wales and Queensland Parliaments which adopted the constitutional amendments framed by the constitutional convention in December, 1942.

There is already conjecture among political observers on the possible effect of the vote on future Labour policy. While it is true that the result of the referendum cannot affect Labour’s tenure of office and' that the history of most referenda reveals the non-party nature of the voting, it is certain that the Ministers, in carefully analysing the trend of the vote, may see a number of pointers, from which they may profit. Further, it is inevitable that some of the Ministers at least temporarily will lose prestige through the defeat of the Government’s proposals.