THE FEDERAL REFERENDA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 287, 27 April 1911, Page 5

THE FEDERAL REFERENDA

GREAT EXCITEMENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

WHAT THE ELECTORS ARE ASKED TO DECIDE.

By cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received 26, 8.50 p.m. Sydney, April 26. The weather was fine for the referenda poll'. The booths were crowded at the opening and again at the close. The voting proceeded steadily and quietly throughout the day, a large army of canvassers being at work on both sides, and motor-cars and other vehicles were freely pressed into service. Women turned out more freely than was expected. Voting ceased at seven o'clock. Before that hour, crowds began to gather in the vleinity of the newspaper offices, where the returns were posted later. The streets in the vicinity were densely packed, excitement running high as the numbers for and against mounted up. The electors were asked to say ,f yes" or "no" to whether they desired an alteration of the Constitution to give the Commonwealth Government power, firstly, to deal with the creation, dissolution and control of corporations, including foreign corporations,.al4P. the regula.: tion of wages, conditions of laJ?or. and employment in any trade, industry/, or calling; the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes; and the power to deal with combinations and monopolies in relation to the production, manufacture, or supply of goods or service; and, secondly, where Parliament has declared any industry or business to be a monopoly, whether Parliament shall be given power to make laws for carrying on such business under the control of the Commonwealth, and acquiring for that purpose on just terms any property used in connection with such industry or business. To carry the referenda, a majority of "yes" votes must be obtained in at least four out of the six States, and also a majority of the whole votes polled.

RETURNS COMING SLOWLY.

Received 26, 11.15 p.m. Sydney, April 26.

Referenda returns are extremely slow in coming in. Early N«w South Wales and Victorian figures show a majority for the "noes" on both questions, but it is unlikely that anything like complete returns will be available for some days. Even decisive figures will take a day or two. A TEMPORARY RESPITE. Received 27, 12.12 a.m. London, April 26. The Times, commenting on the referenda vote and the successive attempts of State Legislatures to defeat the Commonwealth Government's proposed changes in industrial legislation, which ranks probably in the great mass of Australians as a very earnest desire, declares that such a policy may succeed for a time, but it can hardly in the long run oppose an effectual barrier to the wishes of the people.

NEGATIVE VOTE LEADING. IN EVERY STATE. Received 26, 12.50 a.m. Sydney, April 26. The latest returns, all far from complete, place the "noes" in a strong lead in all States on both issues. On the first question, as to legislative powers, New South Wales voted—"Yes," 54,017; "noes," 83,148. On the question of monopolies: "Yes," 49,364; "noes," 72,009. In Victoria —"Yes," 10.593; "noes," 138,053, on the first proposal; "yes," 48,325, and "noes" 68,737, on the second proposal. Received 27, 1.5 a.m. Queensland voted on the first proposal —"Yes," 6143; "noes," 10,928. On monopolies, ■'"yes" 6054; "noes," 10,937. South Australia, on legislative powers —"Yes," 3765, "noes" 4014; monopolies, "yes" 985, "noes" 385. Tasmania, on legislative powers—"Yes," 14,057, "noes" 15,438; monopolies, "yes" 13,717, "noes" 14,373. Westralia has announced no returns yet. ; THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. The Federal Constitution at present provides that Parliament shall 'have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth, with respect to:— 1. Trade and commerce with other countries and among the States. 2. Foreign corporations and trading or financial corporations formed within the limits of the Commonwealth. 3. Conciliation and arbitration for the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes extending beyond the limits of any one State.

The object of the referenda is to extend the powers of the Commonwealth in order that it may make laws with respect to: 1. Trade and commerce.

2. Corporations, including the creation, dissolution, regulation, and control of corporations; corporations formed under the law of a State —except arty corporation formed solely for religious, charitable, scientific, or artistic pur-! poses, and not for the acquisition of gain by the corporation or its members 1 —including their dissolution, regulation,' and control; and foreign corporations, including their regulation and control. 3. Labor and employment, including the wages and conditions of labor and employment in any trade, industry, or calling; and the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes, including disputes in relation to employment on or about railways the property of any State.

4. Combinations and monopolies in relation to the production, manufacture, or supply of goods or services. The opponents of the referenda—the proposals are presented in two bunches —urge that Labor is on a side track, leading to unification. The Sydney Morning Herald, in urging its readers to vote "No," says that if the proposed amendments of the Constitution be carried, the Federal Government will be 96 ove/laden with work that the whole structure will stagger and fall with its very top-heaviness.