WEST AUSTRALIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17954, 5 December 1932, Page 9

WEST AUSTRALIA

QUESTION OF SECESSION SECOND READING OF BILL PERTH, Nov. 24. “I do not believe that it will be possible for this State to make any progress while hitched to the other States where the position is so entirely different either under Federation or unification,” said the Premier, Sir J. Mitchell, when moving the second reading of the Secession Referendum Bill in the Legislative Assembly today. The Premier said a similar bill had been passed by the House last session, •hilt had been defeated in the Legislative Council. In advocating secession he wished to make it clear that lie was not anti-Federal in sentiment, but, after 3Q years’ trial, it must be agreed that, West Australia could not meet -the cost of Federation. That was the acid test. West Australia was a much poorer .State than, say, Victoria, but even Victoria could nor meet the cost of Federation without making sacrifices.

As the people had understood the proposal to federate it had been that the Federal Government would undertake certain .responsibilities, “such as 'pensions and a few things of national character.” The States were to carry out all the other necessary functions. It was then asserted that the cost of Federation would not exceed 2s (id per head of population. The Federal Government had undertaken many things which could well have been left to the States, thus involving duplication. Federal revenue -last year was £71,500,000.

It had originally been contemplated that the Federal Government would use only one-quarter of the customs duty. It now used all the customs revenue, and, in addition, had entered practically every known field of taxation, direct or indirect. The State Governments could come into the field only after 'the Federal Government had taken what it wanted. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr -Collier, said that the all-important point- was-'the obtaining of Imperial sanction.

Sir J. Mitchell said he took it- that the views of the 'people would prevail. The debase was adjourned.