TASMANIA'S ILLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 11

TASMANIA'S ILLS.

DESIRE FOR SECESSION. MOVEMENT LAUNCHED. [FROM OtTR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, March 19. Definite steps vrere taken in Hobarfc last week to launch a State-wide secession movement. It is not so much that the State is smarting'under its particular grievances that has led to the movement, but the realisation that, present conditions are absolutely hopeless. Probably in no other State have public-spirited citizens done so much volunteer work with the view of pushing ahead the progress of the State than have Tasmanians, but there has been the feeling that every effort has been thwarted by Commonwealth policy. Those who have been following closely the effects of Federal policy on Tasmania have had no doubt what the ultimate result would be, and it was predicted that sooner or later other States would find themselves in a similar position; indeed, it was so forecast in the report of the special committee set up by the Lyons Government in 1925 to report on "Tasmania's disabilities under Federation.".

There is said to be a widespread feeling in Tasmania that the various Governments that have held office in Tasmania have not shown sufficient backbone in standing up to the Commonwealth, and that the crisis should not have been allowed to develop until it has reached its present very acute stage. While there is a very considerable feeling of dissatisfaction with Commonwealth policy as affecting Tasmania, and a feeling of absolute despair, there is a doubt in the minds of many people whether it would be a good thing for the State to sever completely the Federal bond, but the advocates of secession ask what is the alternative 1 It has been proved, they aver, that Tasmania cannot carry on under present policy, that she has riot the resources to permit of being taxed by two Governments, and cannot stand the drain of so much money to the mainland. Students of the' position ask whether a modified form of secession could not. be brought about. They ask whether Tasmania could not be given control of her own customs, on agreement that free trade among the States was allowed to continue, leave the Post Office under Federal control, and exempt Tasmania from all Commonwealth policy affecting trade, commerce and intercourse among the States, industrial legislation and Federal taxation, Tasmania to take over all her obligations, except her share of expenditure on mainland public works.