File:Publications used by Royal Commission as to the Desirability of Federation with the Commonwealth of Australia, 1900-1901 (17956042030).jpg

On May 30 1901 the Royal Commission set up by NZ Premier Richard Seddon to investigate the possibility of New Zealand joining the Commonwealth of Australia reported unanimously that New Zealand should not become a state of the new Commonwealth. Premier Richard Seddon saw himself heading a South Pacific empire, not a subordinate administration. He set up the Royal Commission in 1900 to buy time and get a sense of public opinion. While most submissions opposed union with Australia, many farmers were in favour, fearing trade barriers to their produce.

Archives New Zealand holds the records of the Royal Commission in series 8424

Commission as to the Desirability of Federation with the Commonwealth of Australia, 1900-1901 [record group] www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=8424 – click on the records tab for a full list of items.

This series consists of records relating to a Commission of Enquiry set up to investigate the desirability of New Zealand federating with Australia and becoming a state under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900. Special enquiry was made into the following topics: agricultural, commercial and industrial interests, defence, judiciary matters, customs, railways and postal arrangements, public indebtedness of colonies under the Commonwealth, and matters of social and political bearing.

The Commission of Enquiry considered federation from the following standpoints:

- Legislative independence - Public finance - Defence - Postal and telegraphic services - Administration of justice - Imperial relations - Federal departmental administration - Agricultural, commercial and industrial interests - Social conditions of the working classes - Question of coloured labour

The Commission found that federation with Australia would provide no material advantage for New Zealand. Free trade between the two cited by may advocates, was not found to be an advantage. The proportion of Australian total imports and exports to New Zealand was negligible. Disadvantages would be felt in the following ways:-

- Loss of some legislative independence - Loss of revenue, less tariff protection, obligation to other states and loss of financial independence - Loss of efficiency and cheapness of postal services - Creation of administrative problems owing to isolation and distance of New Zealand and possible duplication of federal departmental administration - Lowering of working conditions and protection of working classes - Non-representation of Maori in electorates - Very wide and largely undefined powers would be conferred on Federal Parliament which would contradict State Government legislation or even financially penalize or undermine State economies.

The image shown here is of the publications analysed by the commission to help make the decision on federation. Publications include: Toowoomba Weather Record 1901; Victorian Year Book 1895-8; Report on Agricultural and Pastoral Statistics Queensland 1899 and many more.

Reference: ACGO 8424 IA106 9/12 www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=19731673

This item, as well as other papers from the Commission can be seen in our Wellington Reading Room.

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