Resource Sheet 4

Extracts from a speech by Tasmanian premier, Edward Braddon

A photo of Edward Braddon

Launceston Examiner, 28 May 1898.

Electors of Tasmania—

…This Federation would give us also such security against hostile aggression as must be hopelessly beyond our reach if we attempt to stand out of the union…if Tasmania became part of the Commonwealth the whole strength of the Commonwealth forces would be available for Tasmania’s protection in the hour of need…

If you fail to carry by a sufficient affirmative vote…what will Tasmania’s position be? She would be then a small fragment of that outside world against which the Commonwealth would set up its Customs barriers. The markets of New South Wales, now free to us, would be barred against us by the federal tariff, and instead of that wider market which intercolonial free-trade would give for our fruit, jam, timber, oats, hay, straw, potatoes, woollen manufactures, etc., we should have a market even more restricted than that which now blights many of our industries…

If Tasmania fails to pass the bill…and seeks to enter the Federation subsequently, she will have to bargain for that which is now hers by right, and equal representation in the Senate would probably be sought in vain…

Diary extract, 2 June 1898

…Federation was in many respects a leap in the dark, thoughtful men looked at the other alternative—what would be Tasmania’s position if she was left alone outside the Federation with United Australia bonded against her. Slowly many of us came to the conclusion that this was a worse alternative than the possible financial risk of joining…

Every year of delay would make the problem more difficult, the conflicting interests more irreconcilable, the prospect of agreement on fair terms more remote. That this would especially be the case with the smaller colonies who would be the more overshadowed by the large and rapidly growing populations of NS Wales and Victoria. Now Tasmania is offered equal terms in the Constitution…equal representation in the Senate with the great colonies, a minimum of 5 members…instead of 3 her proportionate number…in the House of Representatives.

JB Walker, diary, 2 June 1898, Reports on the Historical Manuscripts of Tasmania, Nos 1–5, Hobart, 1964, pp 179–181.