THE REFERE DUM.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 274, 4 November 1916, Page 5

THE REFERE DUM.

TEN DAYS’ WAIT FOR RESULT. POLITICANS AWAIT DEVELOPi iMENTS. [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN.] Sydney, Nov. 3. Though the excitement over the referendum campaign has largely subsided, interest in the final result, which the chief electoral officer states will not be available for ten days at least, remains intense. Later returns continue slightly to reduce the “No” majority. Meantime the political situation as the outcome of the referendum is very unsettled generally. This particularly applies with regard to the Commonwealth and New South Ministries. Rumours of all sorts of possible changes and reconstructions, some inevitable and others dependent on how the referendum goes, are current. Political leaders for the most part maintain a discreet silence, awaiting events. All parties, however, are agreed that whatever eventuates there must be no slackening in the prosecution of Australia’s share in the war. THE SITUATION REVIEWED. AUSTRALIA NOT GONE TO THE DOGS. TROOPS LIKELY TO BE KEPT UP TO STRENGTH. Auckland, Nov. 2. Mr. Richard Teece, actuary of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, who is now visiting Auckland, stated in an interviewto-day that he did not think Australia had entirely gone to the dogs, although he shared in the pain and humiliation felt here at the result of the referendum.

Discussing the probable influences that had contributed towards lhe huge vote against conscription, Mr. Teece said that first of all there could be no doubt that the factory women had voted against it. The anti-conscriptionists had spun their net cleverly, and had made the issue appear to them to be —“Are you prepared to send another woman’s son to his death ?” Secondly, he believes that the men on the land had cast their weight against Mr. Hughes, in the cause. They believed that with conscription there would be an inadequate supply of labour for the crops. The I.AV.AV. had worked tooth and nail against it, and although the legitimate Trade Union party had disclaimed any connection with the extremists, because they were afraid that such relationship would prejudice their case, he believed that there had been a sympathetic bond between them.

One great source of disappoint-; ment had been occasioned by a widespread belief that the big silent vote of those woikers who had stood aloof from an open expression of opinion would at the i.i'-t moment be thrown into the. scales in favour of conscription. Now it wib clear that practically the entire Labour Party had been against it. “Another' contributing cause was I. lie widespread feeling that the war is won,” continued Mr. Teece. “Thousands of people really believed that Britain did not want any more help from the colonies, and the people of Australia are so far removed from the scene of hostilities that the unlettered community cannot appreciate the gravity of the position. There is a numerous section which is , not only opposed to compulsion, but ( to every form of helping the Motherland; but compared with the' whole population they are only a small section, and I think that the majority of those v. ho voted against ■ conscription are honestly desirous that our obligations shall be main- i tained. 1 also tool sure that somehow or other we shall be able to continue the necessary reiufoi.cements to keep our troops up to strength. Mr. Teeee further ventured the opinion that reports of meetings at which cheers were given tor the Kaiser had been somewhat overcoloured, an el that where returnee! soldiers had been handled roughly there had been a want of tact in canvassing on behalf of compulsion. Mr. Teece had some frank criticism to level at the politicians of Australia. Their attitude in opposing conscription, he said, was determined not by the fact that they were acting according to conscription, but by political motives. VVncn they, saw that the unions were in opposition they were airaid to incur their hostility and endanger the retention of their seats. i Discussing trie position of the Federal Prune Minister, Mr. Teeee remarked that the result of the Referendum would not compel _ Mr. Hughes to resign, and he believed i that the Premier would endeavour to carry on. The Federal Labour ( Party would he lost without him, for he was the, brains of the whole crowd. Undoubtedly, his light on behalf of conscription hod been wonderful. As to the suggestion that the States which bad voted “Yes” should have compulsion applied to them, Mr. Teece declared that the State Parliaments had not the power to order that, and be believed that any discrimination on the. pari of the’ Federal Parhament would be unconstitutional.

MR. VEITCH’S COMMENT.

PER r.tEbb association, j

Wanganui. Nov. 1. Mr. AV. Veitch. M.P.. and a strong advocate of Labour, in a discussion on the Australian vote on conscription. said, “The result has come as a shock, and at present many of us are inclined to take a pessimistic view of the situation. It is impossible here to gauge the real cause of the failure of the vote just yet, but the figures show quite clearly that it is the decision cf a majority of the people. Speaking as a Labour man, I am perfectly satisfied thn the I.WAV. were not sufficiently strong to carry the rejection of the proposals There are other factors contributing, and it may be that many voted against conscription ot men’•demise there was no d< finite concurrent proposal for consi riplion of wealth. Considering the record of Australian soldiers at the front, it is impossible to believe that the citizens of Australia were hostile to, or out of sympathy with, Britain and her Allies? it is quite probable that after the first shock of the decision has passed there will be found quite enough men in Australia to uphold the honour of the Commonwealth by filling up the monthly quotas under the voluntary system.

LABOUR EXPELS J. C. WATSON [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN.] (Received 4, 11.20 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 4. The Political Labour League executive has expelled Mr. J. C. AVatson from the movement .because of his attitude towards conscription.