Focus question
TaQ3 Judge John Warrington Rogers writes that the system of colonies imposing tariffs on one another's products is 'an absurd and mischievous system of fiscal legislation'. Why is he against tariffs?

THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY TARIFFS

But, again, we are poor indeed in that we are wanting in that common sense which should induce us to abandon an absurd and mischievous system of fiscal legislation which, prohibits the free interchange of commodities between one Australian colony and another, and which is rapidly causing the different colonies of Australia to treat each other in their legislation as though they were common enemies, and to isolate one colony from another – a narrow policy which must prevent the growth of an Australian unity and community of feeling, which, if it could be once created, whilst tying us together closely as brother colonists, would rather foster than weaken our ties to our mother country.

J. Warrington Rogers, Imperial Federation. A Lecture under the Title of Odds and Ends – The British Empire: A Few Thoughts on Imperial Federation, Melbourne: Stilwell, & Co, 1888 p. 11, Cited in Raymond Evans et al., 1901 Our Future's Past, Macmillan, Sydney, p. 158.

An Obstacle to Federation

NEW SOUTH WALES: I say, Old Man, why should there be a fence between neighbours like you and me? Let's knock it down and the others will soon follow suit.
VICTORIA: No fear. Not so long as you keep that there pig to threaten my cabbages.

Sydney Bulletin, 9 November 1889.