The Federalist
Oct. 23rd, 2012 09:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xenith"Let us think of the prosperity, power and prestige that union will enable the colonies to accomplish. What a charter of liberty it is---civil and religious liberty. Under such a union we have the power to accomplish all at that we can reasonably aspire to." (Deakin)
The Federalist with the motto “One people, one destiny” was issued by the Southern Tasmanian Federal League on the 11 May 1898, the month before the first referendum. (There were two referendums prior to the "Commonwealth Bill" being passed. Actually it was more complicated and interesting, as these things usually are.) Based on most of the propaganda I've read, the driving force behind the desire for Federation was the removal/reduction of tariffs and custom duties, and an increase in free trade, between the colonies. The Federalist here is less obvious about that. Most its non-advertising content is a long collection of pithy (their word) quotes from prominent people encouraging the reader to vote "Yes". So I thought I'd share some:
'The native-born population are not satisfied with a parochial life. They look for a wider sphere and a greater destiny, and that destiny is provided under this Constitution. (McMillan)
"If ever there was a people’s Constitution it is this one which concerns everything that is good, and yet provides ample scope for natural growth." (Holder)
"It is agreed by all political parties that Federation is desirable. Even the bitterest of provincialists declare this. The unanimity of this point is so unanimous as to be almost incredible." (Bulletin)
"The producer and consumer will alike profit because Australia, and not a fragment of it, will be his sphere of operations. Duties on colonial produce and manufactures, together with trade profits thereon, will be swept away and divided between producer and consumer." (Holder)
"The proposed Constitution provides for the amalgamation of the five separate military departments, which will make the defences of Australia cheaper, as well as more efficient. It will combine the post and telegraphs of five provinces, thus making a great reduction in expenses, saving four out of five Postmasters-General, and making rates uniform through the Commonwealth. It will create a uniform tariff outside the Commonwealth, and absolute Freetrade within." (Bulletin)
"It has been shown that young colonies with a small population may have their rates of Customs and Excise revenue per head of total population violently disturbed by any sudden change in the proportion of adult males to the rest of the population. This cause alone changed the Customs and Excise Revenue of Western Australia from £4 14s. 6d. to £8 6s. 8d. per head with five years, and a similar change will most probably alter the existing condition of Tasmania within the next few years." (Johnston “Federal Finance”)
"The necessity for union grows apace. If you reject one safe and sound opportunity, how do you know you will get another? You have the best bill that hands of those who were elected could make, and I ask you--I do more, I entreat you--to accept it; not for my sake, but for the sake of those who will live after me." (Barton)
"Absolute perfection in politics is unattainable, and if we wait for the ideal, refusing to accept instalments of rhe practical, there would never be any progress. Let us accept the bill as an instalment, if not a complete realisation, of our ideal." (Dr Quick.)
I have no idea who Dr Quick is, but that seems to be a useful quote in a lot of contexts, so I might look him up. Following the quotes, is a section that addresses the reasons for supporting the bill for different groups. Interesting because it gives an idea of some of the issues that were of concern to voters at the time:
Why should working men support the Commonwealth Bill?
1. Under Australian federation, with protective duties against the outside world, millions of new capital will be introduced and expended in manufacturing industries. There will be no lack of employment
2. With a homogenous population protected against the outer world a uniform 8 hours’ day and other social legislation will be possible
3. The Commonwealth may, and will, exclude coloured labour. Australia will always be “a white man’s country.”*
4. The Commonwealth may provide old age pensions. America now pays £40,000,000 per annum to her maimed soldiers. Australia will go one better and pension off those who fought the industrial battle during the best years of their lives.
5. Persons, and not property, are solely recognised by the Commonwealth Bill. One man one vote for both Senate and House of Representatives will be the law for ever.
Why should Hobart support the Commonwealth Bill?
1. Because the city will enter an area of great manufacturing prosperity
2. Because Hobart, with its cool climate and admirable water supply, will brew the ale and beer and distil the spirits required for all Australia**
3. Because capitalists, in choosing a seat for industries, will prefer a location with a good harbour; a climate where labour does not exhaust the worker; and where the manufacturer himself may enjoy his existence and enjoy his life.
4. Because Hobart will become the summer seat of the Governor-General, and throughout the summer months be the resort of the wealth and fashion of Australasia; and because we shall have 20 tourists for every one that now visits our shores.
*The issue was the importation of overseas labourers, especially Pacific Islanders to work on plantations, because they worked for less and didn't require the same working standard that local (unionised) workers demanded. The solution was to prevent immigration of all such peoples.
**This week's news
The Federalist with the motto “One people, one destiny” was issued by the Southern Tasmanian Federal League on the 11 May 1898, the month before the first referendum. (There were two referendums prior to the "Commonwealth Bill" being passed. Actually it was more complicated and interesting, as these things usually are.) Based on most of the propaganda I've read, the driving force behind the desire for Federation was the removal/reduction of tariffs and custom duties, and an increase in free trade, between the colonies. The Federalist here is less obvious about that. Most its non-advertising content is a long collection of pithy (their word) quotes from prominent people encouraging the reader to vote "Yes". So I thought I'd share some:
'The native-born population are not satisfied with a parochial life. They look for a wider sphere and a greater destiny, and that destiny is provided under this Constitution. (McMillan)
"If ever there was a people’s Constitution it is this one which concerns everything that is good, and yet provides ample scope for natural growth." (Holder)
"It is agreed by all political parties that Federation is desirable. Even the bitterest of provincialists declare this. The unanimity of this point is so unanimous as to be almost incredible." (Bulletin)
"The producer and consumer will alike profit because Australia, and not a fragment of it, will be his sphere of operations. Duties on colonial produce and manufactures, together with trade profits thereon, will be swept away and divided between producer and consumer." (Holder)
"The proposed Constitution provides for the amalgamation of the five separate military departments, which will make the defences of Australia cheaper, as well as more efficient. It will combine the post and telegraphs of five provinces, thus making a great reduction in expenses, saving four out of five Postmasters-General, and making rates uniform through the Commonwealth. It will create a uniform tariff outside the Commonwealth, and absolute Freetrade within." (Bulletin)
"It has been shown that young colonies with a small population may have their rates of Customs and Excise revenue per head of total population violently disturbed by any sudden change in the proportion of adult males to the rest of the population. This cause alone changed the Customs and Excise Revenue of Western Australia from £4 14s. 6d. to £8 6s. 8d. per head with five years, and a similar change will most probably alter the existing condition of Tasmania within the next few years." (Johnston “Federal Finance”)
"The necessity for union grows apace. If you reject one safe and sound opportunity, how do you know you will get another? You have the best bill that hands of those who were elected could make, and I ask you--I do more, I entreat you--to accept it; not for my sake, but for the sake of those who will live after me." (Barton)
"Absolute perfection in politics is unattainable, and if we wait for the ideal, refusing to accept instalments of rhe practical, there would never be any progress. Let us accept the bill as an instalment, if not a complete realisation, of our ideal." (Dr Quick.)
I have no idea who Dr Quick is, but that seems to be a useful quote in a lot of contexts, so I might look him up. Following the quotes, is a section that addresses the reasons for supporting the bill for different groups. Interesting because it gives an idea of some of the issues that were of concern to voters at the time:
Why should working men support the Commonwealth Bill?
1. Under Australian federation, with protective duties against the outside world, millions of new capital will be introduced and expended in manufacturing industries. There will be no lack of employment
2. With a homogenous population protected against the outer world a uniform 8 hours’ day and other social legislation will be possible
3. The Commonwealth may, and will, exclude coloured labour. Australia will always be “a white man’s country.”*
4. The Commonwealth may provide old age pensions. America now pays £40,000,000 per annum to her maimed soldiers. Australia will go one better and pension off those who fought the industrial battle during the best years of their lives.
5. Persons, and not property, are solely recognised by the Commonwealth Bill. One man one vote for both Senate and House of Representatives will be the law for ever.
Why should Hobart support the Commonwealth Bill?
1. Because the city will enter an area of great manufacturing prosperity
2. Because Hobart, with its cool climate and admirable water supply, will brew the ale and beer and distil the spirits required for all Australia**
3. Because capitalists, in choosing a seat for industries, will prefer a location with a good harbour; a climate where labour does not exhaust the worker; and where the manufacturer himself may enjoy his existence and enjoy his life.
4. Because Hobart will become the summer seat of the Governor-General, and throughout the summer months be the resort of the wealth and fashion of Australasia; and because we shall have 20 tourists for every one that now visits our shores.
*The issue was the importation of overseas labourers, especially Pacific Islanders to work on plantations, because they worked for less and didn't require the same working standard that local (unionised) workers demanded. The solution was to prevent immigration of all such peoples.
**This week's news
