Towards Federation: Why Western Australia Joined the Australian Federation in 1901 edited by Lyall Hunt

Book Description

Secondhand. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Interior and binding are still excellent

Until May 1900 it had appeared that Western Australia would not join the Federation but would develop as a separate British dominion spanning the western third of the Australian continent.

Last-minute decisions by Premier John Forrest, J W Hackett editor of the West Australian newspaper and a majority of parliamentarians to endorse federation saw the decision referred to a plebiscite on 31 July 1900. The Constitution was approved by electors and Western Australia joined the Federation on 1 January 1901.

This book invites readers to decide for themselves the wisdom of Western Australia joining the Australian Federation in 1901.