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…