THE FEDERAL REFERENDA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3205, 28 April 1911, Page 5

THE FEDERAL REFERENDA.

NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

“LABOR HAS OVERSTEPPED THE

MARK.”

[UNITED PRESB ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT.! i ... SYDNTY, April 27. The “Herald” states that commonsense was out to win steadily, though, not in a sensational fashion. The polling was disappointing, considering the issues at 7 sta'ke. It would have, been more, satisfactory had a higher percentage voted, but it was evident that the problems over© too abstract for the Average man. There was a general inability to undertake the enormous responsibility the referendum throws on the electors. In the judgment of the mapority, Labor overstepped the mark. As soon as -it learn sthe limitations of the strength of unionism the more tolerable it is likely to become. The “Telegraph” _ comments on the lack of interest, which does not augur brightly for the successful -working of the referendum principle. This ..wasthe first British community to try an experiment not yet justified by results, in the way of eliciting the full-voiced verdict of the people. However, a certain anti-Socialistic sentiment was still predominant. “The plain suggestion,” adds the “Telegraph,” “is that the Socialistic success of the last Federal election was largely the result cf fluke.”

POLITICIANS’ OPINIONS.

“THE POLL SHOCKINGLY SMALL.”

Mr Hughes, Acting-Federal Premier, interviewed as to the referenda, said-it-was too early to express an opinion, except that the polls .were shockingly small.

Mr Holman, New South Wales Premier, said that it would now be necessary to see what steps were taken to give the Federal Parliament the necessary additional powers. This can be done in conformity with the Labor platform. The referenda proposals were against their platform. The Liberal leaders express satisfaction.

FURTHER POLLINC RETURNS.

BOTH PROPOSALS NEGATIVED

Although the counting is incomplete, it appears certain tfiat both referenda votes have been negatived by a majority. West Australia is the only State where the affirmative is leading. There the returns on the present figures show aggregate “Yes” majorities on legislative powers, 168,913 ; monopolies 152,-501. The following are details of the voting on the first question (legislative powers): —New South V ales : Yes. 94,921; no, 155,504. Victoria, 143*403 and 220,158. Queensland. 35,258 and 48,288. South Australia, 39,113 and 52,057. Tasmania. 20.245 and 27,530. Monopolies—New South Wales: Yes. 83,848: no, 135,903. Victoria, 143.403 and 220,155. Queensland, 26,059 and 34,000. South Australia, 32,120 and 239,124. Tasmania, 19,763 and 26,030.

The Barrier, the strongest Labor district in the State, was the only place where “Yes” had a. majority. The voting was: l~es. 5426; no, 990. North Sydney, a powerful Liberal constituency, was the strongest “No” centre, polling: Y’es, 3740; no. 12.110. The voting was comparatively light, but it is apparent tnat_ it was to a certain extent on party lines, although many electorates won by Labor with small majorities voted “No.”

THE LIBERALS JUBILANT. CONFLICTING OPINION'S. (Received April 27, 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 27. Excepting West Australia, where “Yes” maintains the lead on both issues, the referenda returns have materially strengthened the position of the noes in all the States. The Liberals‘are jubilant at the result. The organiser of the party claims that- it is a victory of the commonsense of the real democracy of .the country over the extremists of the Labour Party. Mr Chris. Watson, Labor leader, on the other hand., claims that the- triumph is due to the immense financial resources at the disposal of the opponents of the Tabor Party, and says that he -believes that a majority of .the people favour the proposed amendment to the constitution. Mr Hughes, Federal Acting-Premier, considers that one of the most remarkable features is the smallness of the poll in New 'South Wales. He says that not more than 50 per cent, of those who voted i nt-he April elections went to the ipoll. Mr Carmichael, Honorary Minister, New South Wales, holds. that only two courses are open now —either the Federal Ministers -must- modify their proposals and bring them within the Labor platform or the party must agitate .for a pronounced and emphatic remodelling of the constitution to give the Federal Parliament the full functions of an Australian Parliament.

LATEST RETURNS. WESTRiALIA ONLY STATE VOTING “ YES.” (Received April 2S, 12.20 a.m.} SYDNEY, April. 27. Although the returns are stil far from complete., the latest figures tonight show that the noes. except ,in West Australia, are steadily forging ahead. The West Australia are on the legislative powers issue: Yes, 26,314; no, 22,247. On the monopolies issue : Yes, 26,415; no, 21,424. THE ACCRECATE TOTALS. ENORMOUS MAJORITIES FOR “ NO.” The aggregate totals for all the States, including .West Australia, are : Legislative powers : Yes, 422,555; no, 643,347. Monopolies: Yes, 414,936; no, 65/,SB4.