SECESSION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1931, Page 6

SECESSION

WESTERN AUSTRALIA MOVES

TIRED OF FEDERATION

SYDNEY, February 19

Decent developments in Federal politics have given stimulus to the campaign in Western Australia for secession from the Commonwealth. Western Australia has always complained that it suffered more than any other State as a result of Federation, and the idea is growing that it would prosper if it were a State unto itself once again. How this could he brought about is a problem, hut it it with the idea of solving that problem that the Dominion League came into being in the State. Already the League lias accomplished much in the moulding of public opinion, as is shown by tlie fact that nearly all the leading politicians of the State, and many p'“ominent business men who have nothing to do with politics, openly advocate secession. The aim of the Dominion League l is to arrange for a referendum so that the feeding oi the people as a whole will be impressed upon the rest of Australia. Then, if secession is not possible, it is thought that Western Australia would lie in a much belter position to bargain.

The people of Western Australia have always been careful to explain that secession does not mean cut ting adrift from the Empire. What, is sought is blip status oi a Dominion within the Empire, similar to New Zealand. It is claimed that Western Australia lias nothing in common with the Eastern States, has received no favours from them, and hopes lor none. Western Australians have always been opposed to tlie high Uirill wall that has been erected around Australia. and. in fact, it was this that really started the secession movement. 'purpose of MOVEMENT. The secretary of tlie Dominion League recently gave 11 it* following explanation of the aims of the League: • ‘The- secession move is not directed against the people of the Eastern States, hut against the federal Parliament, and it appears that most ot tlie other States are beginning to realise the futility oi Federation. Often we have been asked: Could wo finance secession r Undoubtedly we could. Federal taxes, excise, Customs duty, and excess charges on Eastern stales imports cost Western Australia £6,600,000 a year, while under sere"sion even if wo maintained the present departmental stall's, which would then be largely duplicated, and allowed for interest and sinking lurid on the State portion oi the war debt, an annual saving ot £2.361.000 would be j effected. Secession means a release from the chains oi Canberra, that, • £12,000.000 monument.- ol legislative] incompetence. It means one Parliament only for us and haver politicians, and less cost to the people oi W extern Australia. Wo believe that secession will attract English and Australian capital to develop our vast resources and promote our industries. No one in the Eastern States will want to prevent us obtaining secession, and we would not seek it ii wo could otherw be overcome our disabilities; but | cannot.” '