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THE SECESSION MO YEMEN?
STRONG FEELING IN TB2^7EST.
Perth, October 17.' '
_ The large majority in favor of the secession
motion in the Legislative Council came
as a surprise. It was known that the motion
would be carried, but such a big majority
was unexpected. The Federal feeling
is generally regarded as strong on the goldfields
but several members representing
that district voted for secession. When the
division bells rang there was practically a
desertion of the Assembly Chamber, the
members of which rushed pell-mell into the
Council gallery, and the announcement of
the result was received with a clapping of
hands by the members of the Council, and
also contrary to Parliamentary propriety,
by the occupants of the galleries. Several
members who epdkt in support of the resolution,
stated that till a recent date they
were ardent Federalists. a typical speech
was that of Mr. Patrick, who said that
when the question was first brought forward
he would have voted against the motion,
but since then he had read the Commonwealth
"Hansard" and the speeches of
the Premiers at the recent conference, and
had determined to vote for the proposal.
The discussion on the anti-trust Bill
showed that nineteen-twentieths of the
Federal members' were in favor of protect-
ing the eastern industries without the
slightest regard to those of Western Australia.
The carrying of the motion on the
day of Sir John Forrest's return is regarded
as significant, and developments are
eagerly awaited.
A REFERENDUM PROPOSED.
^ Perth, October 17.
In the Legislative Assembly to-day Mr.
Monger gave notice that at the next sitting
he would move for leave to introduce award'
to provide for taking a poll of the electors on
the question of withdrawing from the
Federal Union. The announcement was
received with cheers, which were renewed
when the Speaker announced that a message
had been received from the Legislative
Council that it had agreed to the Assehv
i bry*8 secession motion.
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