THE COMMONWEALTH

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1925, Page 2

THE COMMONWEALTH

TASMANIAS COMPLAINTS. TITH WEST'S GRIEVANCES. SYDNEY'. April 3 The six Australian States have completed almost quarter-century of federation and undoubtedly most of them have benefited by the unified system. Two of them, however, have boon so adversely affected by events in recent years that they are talking seriously of secession from the commonwealth. They are Tasmania and Western Australia. the smallest and largest. States, the one isolated from the centre of Government by tho narrow strip of Pass flrait, the other by the width r.f the continent. Tho islanders are so discontented that a Tasmanian Rights party is being formed to safeguard the State's interests. They think they are unfairly treated by the rest or tint commonwealth. They point out that they are heavily taxed to pay for works on the mainland. Tho amount collected in excise, taxes, and Customs is more than £2,000,000 yearly, and they receive in return only the per capita grant. Tho Postal Department’s refusal to deliver letters direct to Tattersail’s Sweep is regarded as hypocrisy, seeing that the commonwealth itself levies income tax on prizes won. Put shipping strikes and the operations of the Federal Navigation Act have caused more dissension in Tasmania than anything else. For tho last five years, disputes have occurred during the tourist season, and loss of tourist traffic is a. serious financial disability to tho island. They have also interrupted tho shipment of apples. The position was recently summarised by a Tasmanian Parliamentarian, who said: “We arc absolutely disgusted \vitli the treatment we have received and there is a strong party coming straight, out for secession from the commonwealth. ’ ’ Western Australia’s disabilities are at present being investigated by a Roy al Commission. AVhatever the commission’s finding may he, the State will bo able tn say that its grievances have boon well aired. Its case was prepared by a leading barrister appointed by tho State Government, and loaders of every industry, trade and profession, havo flocked to givo Ovidem-e. AVhile not all favouring accession, these witnesses have mostly been of opinion that Western Australia would have done bettor outside federation. Chief reasons for tho contention appear to bo tho burden of taxation; hamper’ug of development of the State’s natural trade resources, such as the embargo on sugar and bananas for tho benefit of eastern States preventing reciprocal trade with Java, heavy charges on business facilities; the impossibility of adapting tho Navigation Act to the State’s long coastline; the handicap through, distance, of being unable to communicate quickly and intimately with Ministers in Melbourne: and so on.