UNALTERED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1769, 6 June 1913, Page 5

UNALTERED.

FEDERAL ELECTION RETURNS.

REFERENDA: YES.

majority practically certain.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopnlshl ' (Rec. June G, 0.5 a.m.) ' Sydney, June 5. To-day's figures have, practically, not altered the position of the election. The Labour vote shows a slightly improved lead, both at Ulawarra and Ballarat, on the present figures, which are capable of wido alteration. The "Herald" predicts that Labour will win twelve and the Liberals sis of the Senate stats. THE REFERENDA. ASPECT OF AFFAIRS CHANGED. Sydney, June 5. Tho Referenda position has altered-: "Yes" has a majority on all questions on the total vote, .-and is leading in four States. Thesa are the two conditions required for tho success of tho proposals, but it is too early yet to regard the result as certain. Many thousands of votes are still in doubt. The counting of absent votes is proceeding slowly, and it is not likely that the complete figures for the election will be available before the end of next week. The delay caused by tho absentee votes is illustrated' by tho fact that at the Sydney Town Hall vote were polled for evcrj electorate in tie Commonwealth with the exception of one. These will have to bo sent by post. THE REFERENDA PAPEfi. AND WHAT IT IMPLIES. The voting paper submitted to tho electors of Australia presents six questions, v/bicli tho voter may affirm or negative •—yes or no: j I.—Trade and Commerce. Question.—Do you approve of the proposed law for tho Alteration of tho Constitution, entitled "Constitution Alteration (Trade and Commerce) 1912"? , Note.—This amendment seeks to give tho Federal Parliament power to make laws in relation to trade and commerce, not only between the States and with foreign countries as at present, but over trade and commerce within tho Commonwealth (except trado and commerce on railways the property of a State). 2—Corporations. Question.—Do you upprove of the pio> posed law for the Alteration of tho Constitution, entitled "Constitution Alteration (Corporations) 1912" P Note.—The object of this amendment is to givo tho Federal Parliament power to make laws for corporations—or companies, as they are commonly called. It will enablo tho Parliament to mako laws for all private corporations other than those "formed solely for religious, charitable, scientific, or artistic purposes, and not for the acquisition of gain by the cor- ■ poration or its members,"

' 3—lndustrial Matters. Question.—Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution entitled "Constitution Alteration (Industrial Matters) 1912"? Note—Full power is sought under this amendment to make laws as to wages, hours, and conditions of labour for tho Commonwealth. 4.—Railway Disputes. Question.—Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled "Constitution Alteration (Railway Disputes) 1912"? Note.—An amendment to give power to tho Federal Parliament to deal with industrial disputes on State railways oi tramways through Conciliation and Arbitration Courts. s.—Trusts. Question—Do you approve of the piu. posed law for the Alteration of the Con- I stitution, entitled "Constitution Alteration (Trusts) 1912"? Note.—This amendment seeks to give tho Federal Parliament power to nutko laws with respect to trusts and combines and monopolies in relation to the production, manufacture, or supply of goods or the Ripply of services in any part of the Commonwealth. It will not onablo the Parliament to deal with commercial and trading trusts, combines, and monopolies. The trade and commerce amendment is essential for that purpose. 6.—Nationalisation of Monopolies. Question—Do you approvo of the proposed law for the Alteration of tho Constitution, entitled "Constitution Alteration (Nationalisation .of Monopolies) 1912"? Note.—Under this amendment power is sought to give Parliament power to puv chase, on just terms, any business which, in the opinion of the Parliament, is a monopoly and run it as a Commonwealth concern for the benefit of the community.

According to tho Melbourne "Age" some of the electors appear to have been labouring under tlie misapprehension that tho Referendum now submitted by the Labour party and the initiative referendum are one and the same thing. Tnis (thb "Age" points out) is not so. The initiative referendum is not one of the issues to be voted upon. In order to carry tho constitutional amendments submitted at the Referendum, tliero must bo a double majority. Thero must in the first place be a majority of the aggregate votes polled, and in the second place there nnist bo a majority of- votes in a majority of tho States. In other words, four of the six States must give majorities for "Yes," and there must also be a majority for "Yes" in the total votes polled throughout the Commonwealth.