WESTRALIA’S SECESSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1933, Page 7

WESTRALIA’S SECESSION

LATEST VOTING FIGURES. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Received April 12, 10.30 a.m.) PERTH, April 12. The latest secession figures are as follow: — For Secession 115,394; against 61,118. For the Convention 75,680; against 99,110. FEDERAL GOVT’S. ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, April 12. The State Cabinet informed Mr Lyons that the New South Wales Government will be pleased to be represented at the Convention of representatives of the Commonwealth and State Governments, to discuss the Commonwealth constitution. Mr Stevens received a telegram from Mr Lyons to the effect that the Commonwealth Government was prepared to assist in arrangements for the convention to make recommendations on the question of amending the constitution of the Commonwealth, should the Parliaments of the States, or a majority of them agree that such convention should be held. t Mr Lyons stated that even' if a Western Australian delegation went to England to make representations to the British Government on the secession, the Commonwealth Government would not consider sending a Federal delegation to put the other side of the case. “We certainly are not going to waste money on a movement to combat a political and constitutional impossibility.” PENALTIES OF SECESSION. INVERCARGILL, April 11. Referring to the secession referendum in Western Australia, during an address to Rotarians here to-day, Sir Henry Braddon, of Australia, said: — “Although this note has been taken, the question arises: How can Western Australia get out? It is unconstitutional to get out. What is going to happen to these people that may say they don’t care, but they are going to get out. Let us look at some of the issues that will be raised, even if they do succeed in separating. Take finance: Western Australia gets a grant of £300,000 from the Federal Government towards the disabilities suffered, and, with other concessions, she benefits to the extent of approximately £700,000 from Federation. If she secedes, what happens? Not only will this gain disappear, but she will have to carry ten millions of short term indebtedness. This is at present guaranteed by the Commonwealth Bank and the Federal Government. It is questionable if this guarantee would be continued after secession. There is also six millions to be renewed within two years. Western Australia could not expect the same terms without previous backing. Thus, it can be seen that the people who so gaily used theii’ vote, are facing quite a serious situation, for, should they actually secede, they will be greatly hampered financially.” He ventured to say that the vote that had just been taken would mean nothing more serious than an expression of public opinion on the question. He did not think the Federation would be broken.