SECESSION MOVE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1933, Page 3

SECESSION MOVE

\ USTRALIAN FEDERATION

REFERENDUM IN THE' WEST

- 'SYDNEY, February 9. In view of the refe-rencluin to be he-d in Western Australia on April 8 on the question whether the State should Conti as- a paint of the Federation of Australia, interest in the- position is increasing. There are few people who think for one moment that the Commonwealth is in danger of breaking up; it is now so firmly established that it is inconceivable that anything could happen to shatter the hopes of those who- were responsible for the Fodera;ion. It is admitted that the conditions -are- not all that could be desired, especially by the- smaller States, but it should be possible to amend these- without secession. There is li-ttle doubt in most quarters that the referendum will be carried in Western Australia, but how the State will act in the event of a favourable vo e is a'mystery to the rest of Australia. Apparently there is nothing in the Constitution providing for a breakaway, from the Federation. The Premier, Sir James Miitcliell, who visited -the- Eastern -.States this week for a meeting of tho Loan Council refused to say what plans had been made. If an- alteration in the Constitution is necessary, this will lie extremely difficult, for all efforts that have been made so far to amend it have been miserable failures. Australia fears any tinkering wi-th the Constitution..

“PRICE OF FEDERATION.” “Western Australia cannot continue to pay the price of Federation,” said Sir James, in the course of a statement in which lie predicted that the referendum would be carried by an overwhelming majority. “Under present- conditions we would he much more useful to the rest of Australia if we were out- of it.” There will he a general election in Wes'e-rn Australia mil the date the- referendum is taken, and it is fairly certain that the present Government will he returned io power. If that is so the secession movement will not he allowed to rest, for Sir James Mitchell is one of its strongest advocates.

'Sir Ja-ines claims that Western Australia hai? suffered many disabilities compared with the other States, mainly on account of its isolation. The Eastern States have- had an unfair advantage- in the matter of trade. Of course, there are no customs harriers as between the States, and it is said •that ThF Weste'rh“Aii-VtvAlinn -i'na'rilf-' faoturer.s have been unable to- compete with the-, manufacturers in -the East, whereas there is no market within Australia for Wo&teni Australian products.

INCREASE IN.GOLD FIELDS. Western Australia to-day may lie counted among the most prosperous of the States, although it has, by . no means recovered from the ctem-es.sion. Gold Ims been the most -marked factor in achieving this position. Western Australia claims that KalgoorHe is tli? most prosperous- place in Australia to-day. The yield of gold in Western Australia i-ast year exceeded 600,000 ounces, valued at more than. £4,500,000. Tremendous- activity has been apparent over more than 2000' miles in the State’s auriferous belt, and prospecting is hei.nig carried out continuously. Gold production is steadily increasing with the frequent discovery of new mines. There are now 5000 more men employed on the goldfields than was the' case three years ago. Primary production lias also increased.