REFERENDUM ASKED

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1943, Page 5

REFERENDUM ASKED

AUSTRALIAN POST WAR POLICY. SYDNEY, February 24. The Australian Council of Trade Unions’ Federal Executive has decided to ask the Federal Government to (1) take a referendum on post-war powers; (2) lower the minimum age for voters from 21 to 18 years (the Government has already indicated its intention to give servicemen and servicewomen a vote at 18 years); (3)’ take over from the States all powers to regulate sport in wartime; (4) amend the administration proposals in the Government’s new taxation plan , The .request for Federal control of sport was made on the motion of the South Australian delegates where the State Government has banned racing for the duration. The Australian Council of Trade Union’s resolution declared that recreation was essential for all workers in war industries. Political correspondents report that feeling in favour of a referendum to decide post-war reconstruction powers is growing steadily in Federal circles in Canberra. Only two States, New South Wales and Queensland, have agreed unconditionally to transfer to the Commonwealth of powers approved by the Constitutional Convention last November. Tasmania’s Upper House has voted against the transfer, while other States have made varying reservations. The Federal Opposition may press for a delay of the Government’s new taxation plan from April to July. The plan is expected to be further debated in Parliament this week.