FOR AND AGAINST: Regional Differences
Document 4

"Westralian Separation", Hop, Sydney Bulletin, 24 February 1900.

Western Australia was even less likely than Queensland to join the Federation. It was thought that WA was too far away, too large and too rich in resources to need the eastern states.

Focus question
FerQ4 What are the two main reasons Hon. J. E. Richardson gives for opposing Federation?

THE NORTH WILL SUFFER

… I oppose federation especially in the interests of the North [of Western Australia] because it is evident that if the Southern districts of the colony will suffer through federation, the North will suffer to a much greater degree. What will become of the Northern industries, including that of pearling, if the control of the colony will be given over to the Federal Parliament? The North will be wiped out completely; because, difficult as it is now to get anything done for that part of the colony, it will be much more difficult under a Federal Parliament. It is said that under intercolonial free-trade we may possibly get a few commodities cheaper, but it must not be forgotten that there will probably be a prohibitive tariff against all English and foreign goods, a great number of which are used in the Northern districts ...

Hon. J. E. Richardson, W.A.P.D., Session 1899, Vol. XV, p. 2504, cited in Scott Bennett (ed.), Federation, Cassell Australia, North Melbourne, 1975, p. 31.