Australia's Arguments Against Federation

Australia's federation came about through a process of deliberation, consultation and debate. Before 1901 Australia did not exist as a nation. It was six British colonies, which were self-governed, but under the power of the British Parliament. The colonies were almost like six separate countries. In the 1880s there was so much disorganisation within this system, which caused a belief that a national government was, needed to deal with issues such as trade, defence and immigration saw popular support for federation grow.

Immigration, transport, trade and taxes, and growing national pride were the three main reasons Australia needed to federate. Fear of coming under foreign attack, and concern over being invaded by non-white immigrants were major factors, which encouraged support to Federate. Despite the fact that several colonies already had implemented laws, which restricted immigrants from certain countries, all of the colonies were keen to strengthen their policies. In this time, there were many prejudgments against the Chinese and Pacific Islanders. The Chinese immigrated during the gold rush period, in the 1850s and from 1863; Pacific Islanders were also brought to Australia to work in the hot conditions in the sugarcane fields. People believed that foreign workers took jobs away from them.

An

argument in favour of Federation was the need for a uniform rail system. Despite developments in the railway system, which allowed even many remote areas to be reached by rail by the late 1800s, progress was restricted by each colony having different rail gauges. When the rail system in each colony was being built, the colonies were operating independently. Without a uniform gauge, trains could not cross colonial borders. Those involved in inter-colonial trade were delayed by the rail system.

The need for free trade between the colonies and a predominant government to ensure that it was fair was another reason behind support for Federation. In the 1860s the Victorian government realised that goods from overseas and from other colonies were being produced at a cost. It had a policy of protectionism, which involved customs duties on incoming goods and made them more expensive to consumers. This encouraged consumers to buy items produced inside the colony, therefore protecting employment and industries. These taxes created tension between the colonies.

The growth in national pride towards the end of the 19th century served as a significant factor in securing Federation in Australia. It was not until the 1870s when the proportion of the non-Indigenous population born in Australia began to exceed the number born in the British Isles, that people in the colonies began to consider themselves as something other than British. Even before the colonies were united and Australia had become its own nation, national pride was showing. The nation's current national anthem Advance Australia Fair was first performed in 1878. Cricket also encouraged a feeling of national pride in Australians.

Federation also has its strengths and weaknesses.

The Arguments against Federation were that organisations argued against federation. They felt that it would be expensive to set up and that the new central parliament would also be costly to run, which would make taxes higher. Some people were devoted to their own colony and had negative feelings towards others. People living in the smaller colonies were worried that the federated nation would be dominated by the wealthy and powerful colonies. New South Wales opponents of federation worried that a federal government would have relaxed immigration laws, which would allow more non-white people to come to

Australia.

Arguments for Federation were that immigration was an issue and was used on both sides of the argument. Supporters of federation argued that a central government could make uniform immigration laws to keep non-white people out of the country. Also pointed out was that a single Australian nation could have one large defence force, which would be able to protect the continent. The federation supporters argued that a federal government could control postal and rail services, which would make services constant across the country. Eliminating extra payments for imported goods within Australia would be another advantage. It would save time and expense because when people crossed borders between colonies they had to stop and show the border guards any goods they had and pay charges for them. They wanted federation to strengthen independence, but made it clear that the new nation would remain part of the British Empire.