Investigation 3
What was the ‘Braddon clause’, and why were there conflicting views about it?
Under the proposed arrangements for a new Federal Parliament, intercolonial tariffs were to be collected by the Commonwealth. Colonies that had charged intercolonial tariffs before Federation would no longer be able to do so. Tasmania was one of these colonies, and its leaders believed that losing the tariff income would leave them without enough money to properly run the colony (or State, after Federation).
In meetings held before the colonies voted on Federation, Tasmania’s Premier, Edward Braddon, negotiated a clause in the Constitution, which would guarantee to the States some continuing income from tariffs. People who did not want the Commonwealth to set higher tariffs – particularly those in New South Wales, which was a free-trade colony – opposed this clause and referred to it as the ‘Braddon blot’.
Why did some people feel that the ‘Braddon clause’ was wrong, while others believed that it was essential?
Your Task
Explore whether or not Braddon’s proposed amendment was a ‘blot’.
Activities
- As a class, examine the diagram that represents Braddon’s amendment clause. In your own words, explain to a partner what information you think it is telling you. Look at the two tables to see how Braddon proposed money raised through federal tariffs would be distributed. With your partner, continue the sequence of numbers in each table for at least four more places to show that you understand how Braddon’s proposed clause would work.
- As a class, read the extracts from the report by Robert Mackenzie Johnston and the speech by George Reid. Discuss or use a dictionary to find meanings for any words you don’t know.
- Divide into two groups.
Group 1
With a partner, discuss the following questions and record your responses.- Why might Robert Mackenzie Johnston have been concerned about the financial arrangements as they were originally proposed? Provide reasons for your thinking.
- How might this issue affect Federation? Provide reasons for your thinking.
- Based on what you have read, was Braddon’s clause a problem or a solution for colonies such as Tasmania, which relied on the intercolonial tariff? Provide reasons for your thinking.
With a partner, discuss the following questions and record your responses.- Why might George Reid have been concerned about Braddon’s clause regarding this proposed financial arrangement? Provide reasons for your thinking.
- How might this issue affect Federation? Provide reasons for your thinking.
- Based on what you have read, was Braddon’s clause a problem or a solution for free-trade colonies such as New South Wales? Provide reasons for your thinking.
- Share your responses with your group. Combine your group’s responses and share them with the other half of the class.
- Write a letter to Edward Braddon supporting or criticising his proposed amendment to the Constitution. Explain why you feel the amendment is or is not a ‘blot’.
- Share your letter with your classmates.