AN ANTI-FEDERATION REVOLT.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 44, 8 March 1937, Page 4

AN ANTI-FEDERATION REVOLT.

Altbougb, as was explained on Saturday, both "the issues involved in the Australian referendum were osteiisibly submitted to the electors on non-party lines, there can be little doubt that the results as reported to-day mean a serious setback to the prestige of the Federal Goverument. There Was almost assured confidence that at least there would be fairly general approval of the central Government having control of civil aviation. Even that. however, has been negatived, though for want not of an over-all majority of votes, which was secured, but of the also requisite majority in each of four of the constituent States# As to the issue of inter-State marketing control there was, as provionsly explained, some considerable misgiving, whieh the figures now , show to have been only too well founded, for the adverse majority looks like teaching nearly two to one. This, as the Prime Minister, Mr. Lyon, is compelled to admit, discloses a very strong ' feeling against hny extension of the Federal Government 's authority. It, indeed, indicates a decided restiveness against its exercise of the powers already Conferred npon it by the Constitution. What the political ontcome may be remains'to be seen, but there is at least sure to be rejoicing among the Langite section of the New South Wales Labour Party, which violently opposed the proposal. Of much more concern, however, is the disruption that may be caused tb existing organised schemes of oversea marketing, the effectivendss of Which was largely depeildeflt upon the Federal Government having control also of inter-State .marketing. On this poittt we are likely to hear a good deal more, possibly having some reflection updn our own mutual trade relations with the Old Ceuntry.