FOR AND AGAINST: Regional Differences
Document 1

Focus question
FerQ1 For what reasons should Queensland join the union?

JOIN AS AN ORIGINAL STATE (QUEENSLAND)

The people of Queensland must bear in mind that their vote on September 2 will not prevent the union of the Southern colonies. Sir Geo. Turner and Mr Reid have distinctly stated that the Commonwealth will be formed whether Queensland joins or not. Everyone admits that federation is desirable, the question now is: should we join as an original State – sharing equally in the benefits – or remain outside until necessity compels us to knock at the Commonwealth door and beg admission? Queensland at present needs open markets for her surplus raw products – in a few years she must either remain stagnant or obtain such markets. As an original State of the union she will have access to the whole of Australia; as an isolated province she will be powerless to influence the federal legislature and must either stand the severe handicap of a federal tariff or send her products to Europe. Which is it to be? Will we join in reciprocal trade relations with our Southern brethren or remain forever a stagnant little province under the protection of Great Britain. A Newfoundland under the Southern Cross!

Progress, Brisbane, 5 August 1899, cited in Scott Bennett (ed.), Federation, Cassell Australia, North Melbourne 1975, pp. 199-200.

"The Latest Addition to the Family", Hop [Livingston Hopkins], Sydney Bulletin, 14 July 1900.