THREATS OF SECESSION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 620, 26 August 1933, Page 5

THREATS OF SECESSION

WEST AUSTRALIA REPORTED TO BE IN DEADLY EARNEST NO' LONGER ANY DOUBT (Press Assn. — By Tolegraph — Copyright). Sydney, August 19. When the vote in favour of secession was carried in West Australia, a numher of people here were incl'ined to doubt wbether the secessionists are really in earnest about the matter. On this question, whether they are right or wrong, there is no longer much room for conjecture. A few days ago, Mr. Collier, ihe Premier, stated at Perth that there might he some difficulty in ■> carrying the decision of the electors into effect. This suggestion of postponement or delay seems to- have exasperated some of the bolder spirits in the West, and Mr. G. Lambert, Labour member for the Coolgardie goldfields district, w,as so infuriated that he has publicly urged open rehellion in defence of "the people's rights." Unless the Eastern States, he said, were prepared to acknowledge West Australia's difiiculties, he was ready to march hehind Mr. Keenan, K.C. (a. leading secessionist) "to seize the Customs at Fremantle." This, in Mr. Lamhert's opinion) would not he too hostile an action to impress upon "the Pussyfoots of Canberra" the seriousness of the situation. A Serious Adventure But Mr. Lambert might find such an adventure a very serious matter for himself. Before the last session closed ,at Canberra, during the debate on the tariff, Senator Brennan, referring to Senator Johnston, a leading country party member and secessionist, asked "How does he reconcile his( position here with his actions as a rebel in the West?" Senator Johnston was extremely indignant, and in reply lateij, in the debate he maintained that he and all other secessionists are loyal to King and Crown. "(Efforts fo ohtain self -government in West Australia are being conducted entirely by constitutional means,. and the leaders of the movement include men whom the King has delighted to honour." But other speakers pointed out to him that the American Civil War was fought hy the Northern States to maintain the Union and? Senator Johnston was reminded that to ignore the constitution of the Commonwealth would constitute rehellion^ quite as clearly as carrying a rifle against its defenders. Intense Feeling However, I have quoted Mr. Lambert and his threat to seize the Customs merely to illustrate the intensify of feeling that this controversy has aroused in the West. Here, the attitude of most people is one of pained surprise — they do not see what the Westerners are making all this fuss about. Parliament has just opened ;at Perth', and notice has been given by the Country Party of several questions which they wish the Premier to answer — whether the statement of West Australia's case :for secession has yet been put f'ormally before the Federal Government, ! whether delegates are to be sent at ! once from Perth -to Canberra, and ■ whether Parliament is to have an op- ' portunity to decide upon the best i means of carrying the decision of the I people into effect. ! Whether Mr. Lambert marches- on i Fremantle or not, it is quite clear , that the West Australians are very much in earnest, and they ar-i not at all likely to let their case go by default.