Lord Hailsham asked that the matter be postponed until the House of [Lords re-assembled after the Christmas recess, when he hoped to be in Jo position io offer some advice as to what seemed the most convenient way of dealing with the questions involved.
The petition is the outcome of the Jenactment of the secession act, which iwas introduced after the people of Western Australia, at a referendum, thad overwhelmingly voted in favour Jot secession. 'The petition is signed by the highest Parliamentary authorities, both official and party, includ jing' the opposition.
The main ground in support of secession from the Commonwealth of JAustralla, is that the combined effects Jof the Australian protective Customs {ari and interstate free trade have Inficted grave injustice, great hard~ ships and severe distress on the state Jot Western Australia—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.