CLOSING STAGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17129, 3 September 1926, Page 11

CLOSING STAGES

REFERENDA CAMPAIGN. INTEREST INCREASES. AN IAI PORTA XT ISSUE. (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Sept. 5. 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 5. As tlie final stages of tlie referenda campaign are closing, public interest, which previously was apathetic, is gaininit force. Both Labor and Government parties have vigorously prosecuted campaigns for and against the proposals throughout the Commonwealth. An anomalous position is created in New South Wales, where both State and I’cdihitt Electoral Acts provide only for the closing of hotels during the holding of elections. Electoral officers decided that a referendum cannot be classed as an election. Therefore, the hotels will remain open.

Broadly speaking, there are two proposals for an amendment of the constitution before the electors, firstly, asking that more powei shall he given to the Federal Government with the object of securing an efficient control over trusts, combines, and trades unions, and other industrial organisations, in order to enalfif* unionists to secure more control

over their own organisations, and particularly in' times of industrial turmoil to enable them to take a secret ballot on the question of a strike. The second question before the electors asks them to give tlie Federal Government what hitherto were regarded as State, rights, and empower the Commonwealth Government in time of industrial stress to take, whatever steps are necessary to maintain transport services. The latter action would only hci necessary in the event of the State failing to maintain essential services as happened during the recent seamen's strike. This was really the cause of the Federal Government seeking the addition powers askod for by Air. Bruce s party. On the strength of the mandate given at the last Federal election to deal with alien, agitators, but which is inoperative under tho existing constitution, they are hopeful of carrying the proposals, while their opponents are relying on the fate of previous referenda for an expression of opinion against the granting to the Federal Government, of such wide powers as arc demanded. They are con’Adent. of defeating them. The split in the Labor Party renders the position .more obscure than it would otherwise Dp- . . , A pretty, general opinion appears to he that tlie electors have not taken the trouble to properly acquaint themselves with the intricacies of the issues involved, and that the vote, to a considerable extent, will he an ignorant- one on both sides. The prospects of carrying the proposals are not regarded as too bright. It will be some days before the result of the whole vote will he finalised.