CAMPAIGN FOR SECESSION

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1933, Page 9

CAMPAIGN FOR SECESSION

NOISY MEETING AT PERTH.

PRIME MINISTER COUNTED OUT. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Perth, March 28. One of the noisiest meetings ever held in Perth took place at the crowded Theatre Royal when Mr. J. A. Lyons, Federal Prime Minister,’ opened his campaign against the proposed secession of Western Australia. The Prime Minister was repeatedly counted out. Small objects thrown from the gal lory struck the microphone and Mrs. Lyons was also hit. She immediately left the platform. Senator Brennan (Victoria) did not secure a hearing, and the meeting summarily closed with three cheers for Western Australia.

A proposal for a Federal non-party campaign in opposition to the Western Australian secession movement was abandoned because the leader of the Federal Labour Party declined to take part. Mr. Lyons stated on March 12 that the Minister of Defence and the Minister in charge of developments would proceed to Western Australia to take part in the campaign against secession on behalf of the Federal Government. . T Secessionists in Western Australia protested to Mr. Lyons against the Federal Government’s proposed intervention in the secession referendum campaign. The Dominion League of Western Australia telegraphed to Mr. Lyons: “Any interference by the Federal Government is tyrannical and provocative. We warn you that such unwarranted action will stir up great strife among the people.”