AUSTRALIAN REFERENDUM

Taihape Daily Times, 10 December 1917, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN REFERENDUM

INTENSE FEELING SHOWN. NEW ZEALAND'S EXAMPLE. ■ SYDNEY, Dec 8. As the referendum campaign progresses feeling is becoming more intensified, and the. cross-currents of the different phases more in evidence. The various Court cases arising out of the application of the war precautions regulations are arousing much interest and speculation. Echoes of the late strike are not wanting. Among other factors it grows more apparent that the present ballot will show considerable variation from the previous referendum. Both sides are exploiting New Zealand's example to fit their own arguments, and circulars are being distributed among farmers calling attention to inconvenienees suffered by small farmers in New Zealand through the shortage of labour owing to conscription. THE CENSOR'S BLANKS. MELBOURNE, Dec 8. An interesting finding was delivered in a case against a firm of printers charged with producing a certain publication in a way as to suggest censorship alterations. Over half the space allotted to an article against conscription comprised blanks corresponding to the censor's obliterations, while on the back appeared the words "Vote no. For reasons see pages 51 and 53, especially the blank space." The magistrate held the charge unproved, and dismissed the case. A charge against a minister of religion, who is editor of the publication, was also withdrawn. Mr C. E. W. Bean, the official correspondent with the A.1.F., cables that polling on the referendum by the soldiers in France commenced oa Wednesday.,