The Thames Star. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1911. EDITORIAL.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10852, 29 April 1911, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1911. EDITORIAL.

FEDERAL REFERENDA.

AUSTRALIA'S REMARKABLE

VOTE.

The Vote that Australia is noiw casting for or against the proposed! amendments of the Federal Constitution displays, in the figures so far available, and which to-day's calble states cannot now Le malbettiolly altered, a, rtemarkaMd change of front on the part of the Commonwealth electors. lit ia flifficilt mi the absence of knowledge as to the exact nature of tho factors that appear, somewhat unexpectedly, at elections of groat import, to understand the reason for this startling volto face. It may however b<e concluded that a combination of influendeisi has been at work and! that the apalthy of one Becticm of the "voters, feverish energy fm the part of another, and these factors learenedi with a suspicion that the power (and patronage) of Urn rarious States winild bo lessened mid a step forward madci towards the goal of unification —have played a prominent part in determining 1 the ("■■■■•>■>- monWealth vote on the Referenda. 1-t----may be explained! that, the Lalbor Go▼oriime<nt sought to secure an expression of the public opinion on an extension to tho Federal Government \>f general legislative) powers and of tho power to deal with monopolies. It K©u'.rht power to ■ertintrol trade and commerce. oorporations — Federal, State nnd Foreign—labor and employment, and "'combination iuM

monopolies in v-elation to the pr.-iliit:-tion, manufacture, or supply of co-':'.-or services." The coiiti-fl cf la"V.-ii- wn< to inclnd? the light to mp.!ko peneral isws de^linsr with wnj."f-s-: and ik>nditions and the pr-cwont'ois and settltsmvxxz of iiKl\istri»l disputes. As to monopolies it was proposed to give tho Cbmtnonwenlth full power to fi«hi tiicsc by uwjiiia cf a dam? in the ,

Constitution providing; for F'&ic-ra! competition by the establishment of rival industries. These are farreaching issues, it will 'be admitted, but the Labor Government waS confident that its demands would meet with the approval of the Voters of the Commonwealth. The result has been a decided! vote in the negative in all

States except ir> WiestraJia. The Federal Prime Minister (Mil- Fisher) and his faithful and energetic henclimam (Mr Hughes) hove laid the position before Australia, and the whole world, in the clearest manner possible; w'hila tfie arguments against hare teen arrayed and displayed in masterly style. In this connection —in addition to the splendid wort of Mr Deakin, ex-Federal Prime Minister — Mr Wade, ex-Premier of New South Wales, has proved a. bitten- and \meioruproniiMng opponent, and proof of tlie genuineness of his work and the power and efficacy of his arguments, may bia found in this negativie rote oast by Nbw South Wales, where it might naturally be expected a decided rota would have been given in the affirms**ive. From the speeches of the Federal leaders we judge that the last had nod.: teen heardi of the proposals. They are suite to appear in another guise, but their purpose will be the same. We 1 bare been assured that under the present conditions Federation wasi as a cripple fettered in action amd limping' along the desired legislative road. The -vote just taikien must halve sadly maimed the unfortunate one. But the Federal Government are omit for power to control all forms of trusts and combines, and it mia,y therefore bte condludW that lairgla and powerful influenoea have teen at wtoriv. to defeat the achievement of that object. Respite the preaent sett-black another determined effort will, we are confident bra made by the Federal Government to secure such powers as to enable it to moxild thie •economic* and industrial destinies of the Ctommonweialth. And knowing Australia and its ideals, we are not sure but that sucteess will ultimately fbb attained 1.