However, when the bill entered the committee stage, Hughes moved an amendment that the bill should not be proclaimed until submitted to the people, either by referendum or general election. Attorney-General John Latham noted that the Commonwealth had no power to call a referendum, making general election the only constitutionally valid result of the amendment.
When the bill arrived at the committee stage, Hughes suggested an amendment requiring its submission to the people through either a referendum or a general election. Attorney-General John Latham highlighted that the Commonwealth lacked the authority to conduct a referendum, thus making only a constitutional general election the valid outcome of the amendment.