CANBERRA FIRM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22484, 13 November 1947, Page 5

CANBERRA FIRM

TO GO THROUGH OPPOSITION STIFFENS REFERENDUM DEMAND (N.Z.P.A. —Reuter —Copyright.) SYDNEY, Nov. 12

Every State in Australia is now feeling the impact of the struggle against bank nationalisation, and it is apparent that the Victorian election result has had an immense stiffening effect on the Opposition. The New South Wales Legislative Assembly last night rejected by 42 votes to 32 a motion by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Treatt, for a State referendum to discover the views of the people on the banking plan. Mr. Treatt said the motion was urgent because of the economic effect of nationalisation on the State and because the inaction of the State Government had placed the House under suspicion. The Premier, Mr. J.McGirr, said Mr. Treatt was “trifling with the House. ’ Melbourne Conference Suggested In Victoria the Premier. Mr. T. T. Hollway, has sent a telegram to the Premiers of South and West Australia stating that in view of the reported determination of the Commonwealth Government to "gag" the committee stages of the bill, he suggested an immediate conference in Melbourne to discuss a concerted plan of opposition. In the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, the Premier, Mr. McLarty, gave notice of a motion stating: “That in the opinion of this House the action of the Federal Government in proceeding with its proposals for the nationalisation of banking without first conducting a referendum calls for the strongest protest from this Parliament. On behalf of the people of this State the Federal Government can claim no mandate from the people for such proposals, Which in no sense are necessary or desirable. This House calls upon the Federal Government not to proceed with the bill unless a referendum of the Australian people has been decided in the affirmative." In the South Australian Legislative Assembly, the Premier, Mr. T. Playford, was asked whether in view of events in Victoria the South Australian Parliament would be given an opportunity to express its view on whether the nationalisation of the banks was detrimental to the State. The question will be repeated after a meeting of the Cabinet. The position in Tasmania is still obscure, but the possibility that the Opposition will force an election is now considered less likely than earlier in the week. Allegations Aganist Mr. Cosgrove Serious allegations against the Tasmanion Premier, Mr. R. Cosgrove, made by a private road operator to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Camp- ’ bell, may have an important bearing on the matter. In the House of Assembly Mr. Campbell said he had received direct statements of improper payments made by road transport operators to the Premier on the understanding that protection would be given to them. He read a statement by an operator claiming that in three to four years the writer and three other operators of road passenger services had contributed £IBOO a year in cash to Mr. Cosgrove. Mr. Cosgrovd supported a motion for e Royal Commission and denied all the J charges. An inquiry will be held. Canberra correspondents say that the Federal Government has decided to force the Bank Nationalisation Bill through the House of Representatives by next Tuesday, and that to achieve this the Government will use the “guillotine” immediately the Opposition tries to prolong the debate in committee.