THE FEDERAL REFERENDA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 288, 29 April 1911, Page 5

THE FEDERAL REFERENDA

WHAT THE VERDICT MEANS. ' NO-CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT? By cable.—Press Association.—Copyright London, April 27. The Press is watching the results of the referendum with interest. The Westminster Gazette states that while not wishing to prejudice the. question it doubts whether a Government can invoke the referendum and still continue in office as if nothing had happened when the result is adverse, even on a constitutional question. A BIG "NO" VERDICT. Sydney, April 28. The position of the vote on the referenda cannot be altered. Westralia retains the "Yes" majority on both questions, the other States "No." The aggregate is a big "No" ver-j diet... ' . .' f,'i NOT A MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT'S FURTHER ACTION. Sydney, April 28. Mr. Hughes states that he is unable to do what he was sent to Parliament —by the biggest vote in the Commonwealth—to do. The Government accepts the verdict, but only for the time being. It would be reducing Democratic Government to a farce to accept as final the decision of forty per cent, of the electors. In two years the Federal Ministry will have exhausted its remaining opportunities for usefulness under the constitution. Then there will be a general election with more interest than at present, and they will again submit the questions. The interval will suffice to prove the helplessness of the Ministry to deal with combines and trusts.

Mr. Holman says that he will approach the other State Governments and suggest the voluntary surrender of power to the Federal Government to enable it to deal with the new protection, effective arbitration, and the control of monopolies. NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. "A CRUSHING CENSURE." "GOOD SENSE OP THE DEMOCRACY." Received 28, 9.35 p.m. Melbourne, April 28. The Argus, commenting on the referenda vote, says: "This most emphatic verdict conveys a crushing censure on the Parliamentary majority and on its methods of work. The vote has swept away every illusion raised by the extravagant promises of the Labor speakers, and by their menacing threats." The Age says' the vote may be most fitly described as a triumphant vindication of the good sense of the Australian 4emocracy. The aggregate voting strength of the nation declared by a smashing and positively overwhelming majority that the Federal system of Government must be preserved intact.

NEGATIVE MAJORITY INCREASES BUT NOT YET DECISIVE. Received 29, 12.10 a.m. Sydney, April 28. Referenda returns are still dribbling in. Westialia continues to strengthen her affirmative position. In all the other States the "Noes" are gaining ground, but returns still to come in can materially alter the position. BRITISH PRESS OPINION. Received 20, 12.33 a.m. London, April 28.

The newspapers discuss the operation of the referendum in Australia from the respective political standpoints especially bearing on the referendum o.uestion in Britain. The Morning Post rejoices that the rebuff will not prevent Mr. Fisher and his colleagues from speaking with authorfly at the conference. Their policy in bnperial affairs is practically identical with Mr. Deakin's.