THE REFERENDA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10753, 28 April 1911, Page 4

THE REFERENDA.

BOTH ISSUES DEFEATED. [By Electric Telegraph—Cofykight.] (I'ep. Press Association.') Sydney. April 27. __ Exceptiii-j: in Y\"f.-,iralia. where "yes'' maintain, the- lead uii l.oih i-ii.'*. .the r.->.rwida :--tunis have materially the |,'-muoi! <,i the "Noes ' in :i]| th.> Srat.-. Tile Liberals ;<re inhdant. at ill.' reMilr. Tin- organiser or the party claims that it i> a victory of the cniiimonsen.se o; til-- real democracy of the country over die extremist.s of the Labor party. Mr Chris 'Watson, tin- Labor leader, or. the other hand, claims that the triumph is due to the immense financial resources at the disposal of their opponents. He believes that the majority of the people were clearly in favor of the proposed amendments to the constitution.

Mr Hughes considers one of the most remarkable features is the smallness of the poll in New South Wales. He says that not more than 50 per centum went to the poll of those who voted in the April elections. Mr Cannichael holds that only two courses are open now—either that the Federal Ministers modify _ their proposals and bring them within- the Labor platform, or that they create an agitation for a. pronounced arid emphatic remodelling of the Constitution to give the Federal Parliament the full functions of an Australian Parliament. Received April 28, at 0.20 a.m. Sydney, April 27. Though the returns are still far from complete the latest figures to-night show the "Noes," with the exception of Westralia, steadily forging ahead. The Westralian figures are: On the legislative powers issue 26,314 for "No," and 22,247 "Yes." On the monopolies issue, '.'Yes" 26,415, and "No" 21,424. The aggregate totals for all the States, including Westralia, are: — Legislative powers:—"Yes," 422,888; "No," 643,347. Monopolies—"Yes." 414,936; "No," 657,884. Received April 28, at 10.45 a.m. Sydney,, April 28. The referenda position cannot be altered. AVest Australia retains its "yes" majority on both questions, and the other States adheres to "no." In the aggregate there is a big "no" verdict.

Mr Hughes says, lie finds himself unable to do what he was sent to Parliament by the biggest vote in the Commonwealth to do. The Government accepts the verdict, but only for the time being It would be reducing democratic Government to a farce to accept as final the decision of 40 per cent, of the electors. In two years his party will have exhausted its remaining opportunities for usefulness under the Constitution, and then there will he a general election of more interest than the present when his party .will again submit the questions. The interval will suffice to prove the States' helplessness to deal with combines and trusts.;

Mr Holman says he will approach the other State Governments and suggest the voluntary surrender of their power to the Federal Government to enable them to deal with new protection, to arrange for effective arbitration, and to control monopolies. Received April 28, at 9 a.m. London, April 27. The London press is watching the referendum with interest. The Westminster Gazette states that while not wishing to " prejudice the question, it doubts whether a Government can invoke a referendum and still continue in office as if nothing had happened when the result is adverse, even on a Constitutional question.