SECESSION MOVE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 849, 24 August 1933, Page 5

SECESSION MOVE.

May be Difficult to Effect. WESTERNERS IN EARNEST. (Special to the ••Star.”) SYDNEY, August 17 When the vote in favour of secession was carried in Western Australia, a number of people here were inclined to doubt whether the secessionists were really in earnest about the matter. On this question, whether they are right or wrong, there is no longer much room for conjecture. A few days ago Mr Collier, the Premier, stated at Perth that there might be some difficulty in carrying the decision of the electors into effect. This suggestion - of postponement or delay seems to have exasperated some of the bolder spirits in the west. G. Lambert, Labour Member for the Coolgardie goldfields district, was so infuriated that he has publicly urged open rebellion in defence of the “ people’s rights.” Unless the eastern States, says Mr Lambert, are prepared to acknowledge Western Australia’s difficulties, he is ready to inarch behind Mr Keenan, K.C. (a leading secessionist! to seize the Customs at Fremantle. This, in Mr Lambert’s opinion, would not be too hostile an action to impress upon “ the Pussyfoots of Canberra ” the seriousness of the situation. “ Rebel in the West.” But Mr Lambert might find such an adventure a very serious matter for himself. Before the last session closed at Canberra, during the debate on the tariff. Senator Brennan, referring to Senator Johnston, a leading Country Party member and secessionist, asked: How does he reconcile his position here with his actions as a rebel in the west?” Senator Johnston was extremely indignant, and in a reply later in the debate he maintained that he and all other secessionists are loyal to King and Crown. “ Efforts to obtain selfgovernment in Western Australia are being conducted entirely by constitutional means and the leaders of the

movement include men whom the King has delighted to honour,” he said. Other speakers pointed out to him that the American Civil War was fought by the northern States to maintain the union, and Senator Johnston was reminded that to ignore the Constitution of the Commonwealth would constitute rebellion, quite as clearly as carrying a rifle against its defendersAir of Pained Surprise. However, I have quoted Mr Lambert and his threat to seize the Customs merely to illustrate the intensity of feeling that this controversy has aroused in the west. Here, the attitude of most people is one of pained surprise—they -do not see what the westerners are making all this fuss about. Parliament has just opened at Perth and notice has been given by the Country Party of several questions which they wish the Premier to answer —whether the statement of Western Australia's case for secession has yet been put formally before the Federal Government, whether delegates are to be sent at once from Perth to Canberra, and whether Parliament is to have an opportunity to decide upon the best means of carrying the decision of the people into effect Whether Mr Lambert marches on Fremantle or not, it is quite clear that the Western Australians are very much in earnest, and they are not at all likely to let their case go by default.