AUSTRALIA'S CONSTITUTION

Mataura Ensign, 26 January 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S CONSTITUTION

THE REFERENDA. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT. 'PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received January 26, 9.35 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 26. Mr Holman (Attorney-General) states I that a wrong construction has been placed on his Melbourne statement regarding the referenda which proposes changes in the Federal Constitution. He was quite in accord with the Federal Government as far as the referendum related to effective arbitration, new protection, and nationalisation of monopolies. These were planks in the Labor platform; As far as the proposals went beyond these planks he was opposed to them and would advocate their rejection. Mr Yen-ail (Premier of South Australia), who is visiting Sydney, states that he and his colleagues are entirely in favor of the referenda proposals, as they will enable the Labor Governments to evade the obstructive tactics of nominee legislative councils. The two referenda on the proposals of the Federal Government to amend the Constitution, Avhich are to be taken on April 26 next; will involve the use of all the elaborate official machinery necessary to the carrying on of a general election. It is proposed to amend the Constitution by extending the legislative powers of the Commonwealth, giving power to deal with trade cud commerce whether State, inter-State, or foreign: also for the creation of provision for the regulation of trade corporations and to enable the Common- , wealth to make laws for the settlement and prevention of industrial disputes of all kinds. A further amendment gives power to deal with combinations and monopolies in relation to the production, manufacture, or supply of goods or services. With reference to the last clause, Mr Hughes (Attorney-General) stated that the Government would be able to make laws regulating producStr&on an( j distribution. It was under - this power that the Government's antitrust legislation would be introduced. That legislation would be of a more farreaching character than could be introduced at present.