THE FEDERAL REFERFNDA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 287, 28 April 1911, Page 5

THE FEDERAL REFERFNDA

SOME FEATURES OF THE VOTING. , By cable.—Press Association.i-Copyright Sydney, April 27. The Barrier, the strongest labor district in the State, is the only place where "Yes" has an overwhelming majority. The voting was, "Yes" 5420, "No" 991. North Sydney, a powerful Liberal constituency, was the strongest "No" centre, the polling being, "Yes" 3740, "No" 12,110. The voting was comparatively light, but it was apparently to a certain extent on party lines, although many electorates won by labor with small majorities voted "No." PRESS COMMENTS. Sydney, April 27. The Herald states that common-sense was out to win steadily, though not in sensational fashion. The polling was disappointing, considering the issues at stake. It would have been more satisfactory had a higher percentage voted, but it was evident that the problems were too abstract for the average man. There was a general inability to understand the enormous responsibility the referenda threw on electors. In the judgment of the majority, Labor has overstepped the mark, and as soon as it learns the limitation of the strength of unionism the more tolerable it is likely to become.

The Telegraph comments on the lack of interest, \»hich did not augur brightly for the successful working of the referendum principle. This was the first British community to try the experiment, and it was not yet justified by its results as a way of eliciting the full-voiced verdict of the people. However, a certain anti-Socialistic sentiment was still predominant, and the plain suggestion was that the Socialistic success at the last Federal election was largely the result of a fluke.

WHAT WILL BE DONE? Sydney, April 27: Mr. Hughes, interviewed as to the referenda, said that it was too early to express an opinion, except that the polls were amazingly small. Mr. Holman said it would now be necessary to see what steps should be taken to give the Federal Parliament the necessary additional powers. This could be done in conforipity v with the labor platform. The referenda proposals were against the platform. *-'•• The Liberal leaders express .w'isfactiori at the result of the polls.

THE "NOES" MAJORITY IN CREASING. THE LIBERALS ARE JUBILANT. STATEMENT BY HON. CARMICHAEL. Received 27, 9.30 p.m. Sydney, April 27. Excepting Westralia, where "Yes" maintains the lead on, both issues, the referenda returns have materially strengthened the position of the "Noes" in all the States. Liberals arc jubilant at the result. 'The organiser of the party claims it as a victory of the common-sense of the real democracy of the country over the extremists of the Labor Party.

Mr. Chris. Watson, the Labor leader, on the other hand, claims the triumph is due to the immense financial resources at the disposal of their opponents. He believes the majority of the people, if the matter were put clearly before them, would favor the proposed amendment of the Constitution.

Mr. Hughes considers that one of the most remarkable features is the smallness of the poll. In New South Wales, he says, not more than 50 per cent, went to the poll of those who voted at the April elections. Mr. Carmichael, a member of the New South Wales Ministry, holds that only two courses are open now. Either the Federal Ministers must modify their proposals to bring them within the Labor platform or agitate for a pronounced and emphatic re-modelling of the Constitution to give the Federal Parliament the full functions of an Australian Parliament.

THE GAP WIDENS. THE "NOES" LEAD BY 403,407. Received 28, 12.20 a.m. Sydney, April 27. Though the returns are still far from complete, the latest figures to-night show the "Noes," with the exception of Wcstralia, are steadily forging ahead. The Westralian figures arc: On legislative powers issue, "Yes," 26,314; "No." 22,247. On the monopolies issues: "Yes," 26,415; "No," 21,424.

The aggregate totals of all the States, including Westralia, on the legislative powers question arc: "Yes," 422,888; "No," 643,347.

The aggregate totals in all the States on the monoplies issue are: "Yes," 414,930; "No," 657,884.