Guide 3 to NSW State Archives relating to Responsible Government - OCR - Flipbook - Page 212
A Guide to New South Wales State Archives relating to Responsible Government
Also included are papers relating to a 5 June 1933 petition from
certain ex-members of the Australian Imperial Forces praying that
His Majesty would refuse assent to the Constitution Amendment
(Legislative Council) Act, 1932. The petitioners maintained that
"On the 13th May, 1933, a Referendum was taken on a Bill
designated `Legislative Council Reform Bill', such Referendum
being carried by a small majority of votes, a result secured by
gross misrepresentation and by numerous suspicious actions of its
sponsors" and that "the Referendum was a fraud upon
representative Parliamentary Government in New South Wales,
which we desire to see maintained and the selection of which we
desire, not to have a favoured right but an equal right with all
other sections of the community". Other papers relate to a petition
from J T Lang in regard to the Constitution Amendment
(Legislative Council Election) Bill.
Despatches from other Governors, and letters from Consuls
and Diplomats, officials and private persons, 1899-1944,
and copies of letters sent, c.1906-36 — Papers relating to
the Constitution Further Amendment (Legislative Council
Elections) Act, 1932-33
CGS 4541,
[12/2064.1
part]
This comprises papers relating to the assent to the Constitution
Further Amendment (Legislative Council Elections) Act and related
legislation.
Assent to the Constitution Amendment (Legislative Council) Bill,
1932 ("An Act to reform the Constitution and alter the powers of
the Legislative Council; to reduce and limit the number of
Members of the Legislative Council; to reconstitute the Legislative
Council in accordance with the reformed Constitution; to amend
the Constitution Act, 1902, and certain other Acts; and for
purposes connected therewith"), was deferred in February 1933 by
the Governor until it was approved of by a majority of the electors
voting on a Referendum taken under the provision of the
Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act, 1932. The
Governor had also decided to take similar action in regard to the
Constitution Further Amendment (Legislative Council Elections)
Bill, 1932 until the Royal Assent had been given to the
Constitution Amendment (Legislative Council) Bill, 1932.
On 30 June 1933 the Attorney General advised that "A Bill to make
certain provisions for carrying into effect the Constitution
Amendment (Legislative Council) Act, 1932; to amend the
Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act, 1930, and
certain other Acts; and for purposes connected therewith", or in
short the Constitution Further Amendment (Legislative Council
Elections) Bill, did not have to be reserved. In the meantime, a
Referendum had been held on 13 May 1933 at which the
Constitution Amendment (Legislative Council) Act had been
approved by the electors.
State Records Authority of New South Wales
209
