AUSTRALIA SAYS “NO”

Southland Times, Issue 23142, 8 March 1937, Page 7

AUSTRALIA SAYS “NO”

VOTE ON MARKETING AND AVIATION PROPOSALS DEFEATED IN REFERENDUM (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 7, 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 7. The Commonwealth aviation and marketing proposals suffered defeat at a Federal referendum poll yesterday. The figures for the Commonwealth when counting ceased last night were: Yes. No. Aviation 979,059 885,636 Marketing 627,802 1,178,893 The marketing proposal was rejected in five States, and the early returns from Western Australia also favoured no. The aviation proposal secured a majority when the votes for all states were added, but secured a majority in only Victoria and Queensland. Majorities in two more States would be necessary to carry it. To carry either of the proposals there must be a majority of people in a majority of States. Four States must vote yes and there must be a majority for yes all over Australia. In Victoria the electorate of the Federal Attorney-General (Mr R. G. Menzies), one of the sponsors of the referendum, rejected the marketing proposals. A majority for the aviation project in Warringah (New South Wales) was a personal triumph for the Minister of Defence (Sir Archdale Parkhill), who has sponsored the reform of aviation sought in the proposal. Counting was continued tonight, and the latest figures are: Yes No Aviation 1,192,943 1,121,639 Marketing 753,560 1,489,511 Commenting on the referendum, the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) said: “I can only say that I feel that the people have made a grave mistake and that the interests of Australia as a whole will suffer. The Commonwealth and the States are now left powerless to deal with inter-State aspects of organized marketing. The apparent defeat of the aviation proposal can mean nothing but chaos.”

WILD SCENE AT BOOTH IN MELBOURNE TABLES AND CHAIRS OVERTURNED (Received March 7, 11.45 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 7. Tables and chairs were overturned, the ballot box and official documents were scattered on the floor and several hundred persons yelled and jostled in a wild scene at a polling booth in Collingwood, an industrial suburb of Melbourne, on Saturday night. The scene followed the actions of a number of men under the influence of liquor. The presiding officer was unable to cope with the rush, and the electors became exhausted. The crowd surged forward and upset the table, and a general uproar followed,- including many fights. The returning officer after a fierce struggle regained the ballot box, and polling proceeded.