SECESSION MOVE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1933, Page 5

SECESSION MOVE

WESTRALIAN VOTE

FEDERATION MAY STILL STAND.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

INVERC'AR-GILL|, April 11

Referring to the secession referendum in Western Australia, during an address to R-otari'ans here to-day, Sir Henry Braddon, of Australia, said: “Although this note has been taken, the question arises: How can Western Australia get out? It is unconstitutional to get out. Wfiat is going to happen to these people that 'may say they don’t care, but they are going to get out. Let us look at some of th e , issues that will be raised, even if they do succeed in separating. Take finance, Western Australia gets a grant of £300,000 from the Federal Government towards the liabilities suffered, and, with other concessions, sh© benefits to the extent of approximately £700,000 from Federation-. If she secedes, what happens? Not only will this gain disappear, but she will have to carry ten millions of short term indebtedness.

“This is at present guaranteed by the Commonwealth Rank and the Fed. era! Government. It is questionable if this guarantee would be continued after secession. There is also six millions to be renewed-within two. years, Western Australia could expect the same terms without previous backing. Thus, it can be. seen that the people who so gaily used their vote are facing quite a. serious situation, for, should they actually secede, they will be greatly hampered financially.” He ventured to say that the ‘ vote that had just, been taken would mean nothing more serious than an expression of public opinion on the question. He did not think the Federation would be broken.

SIR NEWTON MQORE’S VIEW.

SECESSION WILL BE DIFFICULT,

MONTREAL, April 10.. The decision of the voters' of Western- Australia to secede from the Commonwealth will be very difficult .tocarry out, now that the finances of the States are so interwoven, according to Sir Newton Moore. “The promise by Mr Lyons to hold a convention to examine the difficulties of the position, with a view to adjusting anomalies that undoubtedly exist, ing relief,” he said.' “Western Australia. ha& been a very heavy per capita contributor to. the bon.u-sing of industries, which have been no benefit to tier, and has justifiable grievances. The Commonwealth Was created by the six sovereign States In. order to secure a universal system of defence, post and telgra-pli and a single customs tariff, with inter-State free trade, “Western Australia, in view of the fact, she had only some ten yeans before. received responsible government, and had not time to establish . her secondary industries, was allowed to retain protection agaftist the other States for five years, reducing interstate tariff of 20 per cent, yearly. But five years in the history of a nation does not allow much time to establish her industries, and there has always been a feeling that Western Australia has been a dumping ground for the manufacturers of tihe Eastern States.”

LATEST REFERENDUM FIGURES

PERTH, April 11

The Premier-elect, Mr Collier, announced that when his Government has assumed office, the necessary steps will be taken to give effect to the decision of the people in favour of

secession. Latest referendum figures are: For secession 107,884 , against 55,/03.

commonwealth constitution

convention of governments

(Received this day at 10.41 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 12,

The Stat p Cabinet has informed Mr Lyons that the New 'South Wales Government will be pleased to be represent. e d at the convention 0 f representatives of the Commonwealth and State Governments to discuss the Commonwealth constitution.

Mr B. 'S. B, Stevens received a telegram from Mr Lyons to the effect that the Commonwealth Government is prepared to assist in the arrangements for the convention, and to make recommendations on th P question of amending the constitution of tlie 'Commonwealth, should the parliaments of the States, or a majority of them, agree that such a convention should bo, held at Canberra.

Mr Lyon s stated that even if a Western Australian delegation went to (England "to make representations, to the P.'-itish Government on secession, the Commonwealth Government would not consider sending a Federal delegation t 0 put the other side of the case. “We are certainly not o-oing to waste ■money on a movement to combat a political land constitutional impossibility.’'

MAJORITY FOR SECESSION. (Received this day at 10.45 a.m.) PERTH, April 12. The late-t secession figures are as follows:—For secession, 115,394; against i 61,188. Fo" a convention 75,681, igainst 99,110.