cHAP. 11] THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 873
The two Bills for the alteration of the Constitution were
passed in the session of 1910 by the following majorities :
(1) The Legislative Powers Bill,
House of Representatives
Senate .
2) Taking over of monopolies.
House of Representatives
Senate
Second Reading 39—251
Third Reading 41—19
Second Reading 18—9
Third Readine 2213.
Second Reading 40—21
Third Reading 38—20
Second Reading 20—8
Third Reading 24—12.
For the referenda the electorate was approximately the
Same as in the previous case. The result of the polling was,
for the Legislative Powers Bill (which gave the Common-
wealth full power over company law, trade and commerce,
and the control as contrasted with the nationalization of
monopolies) 483,356, against 742,704, giving a majority
against of 259,348 votes? In the case of the Bill for the
nationalization of monopolies the figures were 488,668 for,
736,392 against, giving a majority against of 247,724 votes.3
There is no doubt that the position is extraordinary, be-
cause the elections of 1910 distinctly turned in great measure
on the issue—whether the Commonwealth Parliament should
take povers directly by amendment of the Constitution to
deal with trade or commerce, or whether the plan advocated
by Mr. Deakin and Mr. Cook of obtaining certain definite
limited authority by the consent of and the legislation of
the states should be adopted.
Before the referenda in March, Mr. Fisher, the Prime
Minister, and since the referenda, Mr. Hughes, the Attorney-
Amendment of principle defeated by this vote.
! The exact figures are, spoiled papers 20,869; totals for and against,
New South Wales 135,968 and 240,605, Victoria 170,288 and 270,390,
Queensland 69,552 and 89,420, South Australia 50,358 and 81,904, Western
Australia 33,043 and 27,185, Tasmania 24,147 and 33,200.
! The exact figures are, spoiled papers 21,854; totals for and against,
New South Wales 138,237 and 238,177, Victoria 171,453 and 268,743,
Queensland 70,259 and 88,472, South Australia 50,835 and 81,479, Western
Australia 33,592 and 26,561, Tasmania 24,292 and 32.960.
