A BIG "NO" VERDICT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1114, 29 April 1911, Page 5

A BIG "NO" VERDICT.

ATTITUDE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ACCEPTS THE VERDICT. BUT ONLY FOR THE TIME BEING By Telegraph—Press Association-CopyricM Sydnoy, April 28. The Referenda position cannot bo altered. 'Western Australia retains a "Ves" majority on both questions and the other States a "No" one. In the aggregate there will bo a big "No" verdict. .Mr. W. M. Hughes, Acting-Prime Minister of Australia, states that he was unable to do what he was sent to Parliament by the biggest vote of the Commonwealth to do. The Government accepts the verdict, but only for the time being. It would be reducing democratic government to a farco to accept as final the decision of 40 per cent, of the electors. In two years they would have exhausted the remaining opportunities for usefulness under the Constitution; then there would be a general election iu which there would be more interest than at present. The Government would then submit the questions. The interval would suffice to prove their helplessness to deal with combines and trusts.

Mr. Holman, Acting-Stale Premier, says he will approach the other State Governments and suggest a voluntary surrender of power to the Federal Government, to enable, it to deal with the new protection by effective arbitration and the control of monopolies. PRESS OPINIONS. EVERY ILLUSION SWEPT AWAY. ''(Roc. April 28, 9.315 p.m.) Melbourne, April 28. The "Argus," commenting on the referenda vote, says:—This most emphatic verdict conveys a crushing censure on the Parliamentary majority and on its methods of work. The vote has swept away every illusion raised by the extravagant promises of tho Labour speakers and. by their menacing threats. The "Age" says:—The vote may bo most fitly described as a triumphant vindication of tho good sense of tho Australian democracy. Tho aggregatevoting strength of tho nation has _ declared by a smashing and positively overwhelming majority that the Federal system of government must bo preserved intact. (Rec. April 29, 0.33 a.m.) London, April 28.' The newspapers discuss the operation of the Referendum in Australia from their respective- political standpoints, especially its bearing on tho Referendum question in Britain. The '"Morning Post" rejoices in the fact that the rebuff will not prevent Mr. Fisher and his colleagues from speaking with authority "at the Imperial Conference, as their policy on Imperial affairs is practically identical with Mr. Doakin's.

London, April 27. Tho newspapers aro watching the Federal Referenda with interest. The "Westminster Gazette," without wishing to prejudge the'question,doubts whether a Government can. invoke a referendum and continue as if nothing had happened when the result is adverse, even on the constitutional question. THE RETURNS, POSITION NOT LIKELY TO BE MATERIALLY ALTERED. (Rec. April 29, 0.10 a.m.) Sydney, April 28. - The referenda returns aro still dribbling in. West Australia continues to strengthen the affirmative- position. In all tho other States the "Noes" aro gaining ground. The returns still to come cannot materially alter the position.