AUSTRALIA’S REFERENDUM

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1917, Page 3

AUSTRALIA’S REFERENDUM

THE FINAL APPEAL. SYDNEY December 19. Final appeals ol a-nticonscriptionists include nil advertisement of how eon- ■ r.eription affects business, reproducing ! the New Zealand Government Qmi- | ette of July 31st. last, re non essenI tial trades and callings, wherein no ■■ exemptions are granted. | A ! VOTING TO-DAY. j THE TENSION ENDED. I (Received This Day at noon.) !■ SYDNEY December 20. | There is a very general feeling of/rc- ! lief that the tension of the past lew weeks ha’s ended 'anil that the nation j -has reached the valley. It is very ; serious, sober people realising the full j responsibility that this com--1 inenced to record its decision. The wea- ! tiler is fine. Canada’s decision came | opportunely and was used effectively in | the last earnest appeals of “yessers.” : Tim other side wore equally earnest •j and active in the campaign. | Mr. Hughes in bis closing speech, do dared'“T, at this moment am prepared to withdraw this referendum from you and take a vole of the soldiers, and go on that. The men at the front know what reinforcements -are wanted, and tliev are behind the Government.” The “Herald” reports in an antiprooessiou at Broken Hill, one waggon was with German and Sinn Fein flags.

VOTING IN PROGRESS. Received this day at 2.36 p.m.,) SYDNEY TWs Day. Voting is progressing steadily. There is excitement and the strictest precaution taken against anything in the shape of interference. Hosts of vehicles are employed bv both sides. The city is lull of Xmas visitors. So many are voting away from their electorates that this will make for delay in ascertaining the final result, which will not be known for a considerable time. Provision is made for men serving in Mesopotamia and those aboard warships and transports vote up to January 3rd.