Written by B. R. Wise and published in London in 1909, the book The Commonwealth of Australia covered various aspects of Australian history and culture. The following extract points out Australia's growing sense of nationalism.

Focus question
NaQ10 What evidence does this extract contain that Australia is becoming a nation?

AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE

The Briton looks upon Australia as one of "the Colonies," – with all the suggestion of dependence and inferiority which the term "colony" implies, – while the young Australian knows it to be a growing nation and boasts accordingly. Their ideas, in consequence, move on different planes; and, while each uses the same words, they speak in different languages. The Englishman forgets that the over-sea Briton is no longer the exiled Briton of romance, who pines for home and observes all British customs with a gentle melancholy, but is developing an entirely different type, is absorbed in new interests, and rapidly becoming conscious of a changed and larger destiny. The Australian, repelled by an unsympathetic manner, never guesses that with the suspicion of patronage which marks a Briton's attitude towards "Colonials," is mingled a deep-seated pride in their achievements and a genuine desire for cordial relations. There is thus a shy offensiveness on either side, which might easily become the precursor of family quarrels. Neither wishes to harm the other; but the one is unconscious of giving offence while the other is watchful for grievances. This latent antagonism is inevitable in an age of transition, because the Colonial idea is too old to the Briton, and the national idea too new to the Australian for either easily to understand the other. … Nor can anyone, who witnessed the great contest for Australian Union between 1896 and 1900, deny that Australians can be inspired by and pursue a great ideal, at least as readily and tenaciously as Englishmen. "One people, one destiny", "A continent for a people, a people for a continent," are cries which appealed to the Australian's dominant idea of Nationalism more than to his pocket.

B. R. Wise, The Commonwealth of Australia, Pitman, London, 1909, pp. 19-20.