LABOUR’S STRANGLEHOLD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 868, 11 January 1930, Page 9

LABOUR’S STRANGLEHOLD

“FINGER ON AUSTRALIA’S JUGULAR VEIN” STATE ABOLITION CONDEMNED United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 10.10 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. The Prime Minister, Mr. Jas. Scullin, says nothing definite has been decided concerning a referendum for the abolition of the State Parliaments, to Mr. A. Blakely, Federal Minister of Home Affairs, made reference yesterday. Press editorials have already appeared trenchantly condemning the proposal. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says: —“We do not expect the States to bare their breasts to the knife at the impudent behest of Trades Hall extremists.” The “Evening News,” Sydney, points out that if a referendum endorses unification, it will authorise an experiment which has never yet been tried in the history of the world. “Never before has any nation tried to govern a whole continent by democratic methods,” it says. “The Labour extremists probably hope to get Australia under one management, so that they can keep their fingers on its windpipe and jugular vein.” Speaking at Broken Hill on Thursday, Mr. A. Blakely said: —“In all probability, a referendum would be taken this year by the Federal Labour Government asking for power to abolish State Parliaments, thereby'giving full and complete power to the Federal Government. This would mean the devolution of domestic powers to shires, municipalities, and provinces. The Federal Government would control the national railways, waterways, customs, and defence.”