THE REFERENDA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10762, 9 May 1911, Page 4

THE REFERENDA.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copymgiit

(Per Press Association".) " ! Received A lay S, at 2.25 p.m. London, May 7. Mr Asquith at Manchester referred incidentally to the result of the Australian referenda. He disclaimed making controversial reference to the Commonwealth's internal affairs, and declared - hut lie did not pretend to say what effects tiie decisive majorities on .the referenda might have on Australia, but a--l<ed whether if the like situation occurred in England such a rebuff would nut seriously il;nn»;i' the prestige and. •nit ',,11-i; v • any Government in upholding the legislative and administrative .sv.-u-ni which had been developed and perfected here on the basis of the general lines of policy the country, desired its representatives to pursue. Received Mav-9. at 0.40 a.in London, May 8. The Dailv Chronicle's Rome corresp:.i,.|ent reports that Mr Fisher was interviewed t here regarding the referenda. and said he was confident the [{ills would he approved at tile 1913 election. The people's will must eventually triumph over all obstacles. Received Mav 9. at 10.30 aim. London. May H. ■ Manv London pressmen interviewed Air jr'C.nran. Premier of New Smith Wales, He assured them that the rei nit ui' tie l referendum was not a slap in ilie face tor either the I'ederal or Slate Government s. He was confident iif another election were held .in eiilicr Commonwealth or Staie a Labor Cmv-rnipent would, he returned. His opinion was that the failure of the reier> lehiio was largely due. to the people's caution and a desire to understand Timre thoroughly the .questions involved 1,r.,,, r r making a change..