[Editor: This article, by Mr. A. H. O’Connor, regarding the proposed federation of the state branches of the Australian Natives’ Association, was published in The Advance Australia (Melbourne, Vic.), 15 March 1909.]
Proposed federation of the A.N.A.
West Australian General President’s view.
Does it not seem extraordinary that the necessity should exist for that word “proposed” in the headline to this article? The Australian Natives Association has always claimed a large measure of credit for bringing about the Federation of the Australian States, and its claim has been generally accepted as well founded. Yet the association itself consists of a number of almost entirely independent bodies, held together by nothing more substantial than certain vague traditions, flimsy and unstable, liable to be cast aside at the whim of any parochial conference. The position is anomalous and untenable.
Every argument capable of utilisation in advocacy of a Federated Australia can be used with equal force in support of a united Australian Natives Association. The association has not come into existence merely to discuss academic problems and carry high-sounding resolutions to be blazoned forth in the press, and then pigeon-holed with a smug “Thank goodness, that’s done with” sigh of satisfaction. The founders of the A.N.A. had in mind a fighting force, a body ever pushing forward and upward the banner of Australian nationalism a body above all practising as well as preaching. That is just what the A.N.A. has not been doing in the past, is not doing at the present time. Without going beyond the question under discussion, what practical step has of recent years been taken to bring about closer relationship between the governing bodies in the several States?
We have talked nationalism, prated of “One Flag, One Destiny,” and deprecated petty State jealousies and parochialism in all its forms and shapes, yet when we have right before us a magnificent opportunity of setting an example, and proving the advantages of unity, nothing is done. At least nothing “has” been done, but I am not without hope that the near future may bring forth some new development, taking us a step nearer to the removal of this reproach on our wisdom and our sincerity of purpose.
It is gratifying to note that the organ of the Victorian association, the “Advance Australia,” has determined on a campaign, with a view to arousing interest in this all-important question, and to learn that opinion in the various States now seems favourable to the establishment of a Federal board. So far as Western Australia is concerned, it is safe to assume that any project likely to bring about a greater degree of reciprocity than now exists will be warmly welcomed, and the board of directors has already carried resolutions to this effect. As a matter of fact, the present proposals originated in Western Australia, the Victorian board being moved by a letter addressed by myself to the general president in that State, Mr. A. G. Proudfoot, in July last.
Less than three months of office served to convince me that there was urgent need of a better system as between State and State, and later experiences have only served to confirm that view. Apart from the clearance values scheme, there is really no correction between the various State branches, and nothing whatever to prevent them taking widely divergent paths. For instance, if the Western Australian conference chooses to admit other than Australian-born to membership it may do so; also it may decide in favour of secession from the Commonwealth, the free admission of Asiatics, or any one of a dozen measures which might be entirely in opposition to the general policy of the association throughout Australia. Then what an absurd position we should have created!
Of course the longer the present slip-shod method (or, rather, lack of method) is permitted to exist, the greater will become the difficulties to be surmounted in bringing about the federation of the association. Already we have to handle a grave difficulty with the New South Wales branch in connection with clearance values, due to certain alterations in the scale of fees. It is sincerely to be hoped that this trouble may be overcome, but at time of writing it threatens to bring about a serious rupture in the workings of the association. We have no Federal board to go into the merits of the case, and the chances of its being amicably solved are, therefore, less than otherwise they would be.
At any time similar trouble may arise with other States, and thereafter we need not be surprised if the dissolution of the association as an “Australian” body comes to pass. That it will continue to exist in the States goes without saying — the enormous membership and vested interests existing, especially in Victoria guarantee that — but Victoria is not Australia, any more than is Queensland or Tasmania.
We must have some guarantee that the A.N.A. will always be “Australian” in policy; that it has been so in the past has been mere good fortune or coincidence. This practice of trusting to luck must not be allowed to continue, for it is merely courting dismemberment to the association and disaster to the great ideals which it now stands for.
One of the main duties of a Federal board would be the drafting of uniform resolutions on national questions for submission to the annual conferences in the several States, and the interpreting of the decisions arrived at. Any resolution carried by a majority of the conferences could then go forward as the voice of Australia’s national body, not merely the view of this or that State branch. The States would, of course, be bound to abide by the decisions of the majority, and all danger of conflict would thus be averted. On such issues as defence, immigration, encouragement of Australian industries, irrigation, construction of transcontinental railways, relationship of States and Commonwealth, and other national questions, we would be able to carry far greater weight than at present, and would be in a position to demand respectful attention to our views. Then, regarding such matters as clearance values, retention of members moving from State to State, printing of uniform laws, and a thousand and one other smaller problems, combined action could be taken, leading to greater efficiency, and consequent increased membership and power.
A. H. O’CONNOR.
Chief President, A.N.A., Western Australia.
Source:
The Advance Australia (Melbourne, Vic.), 15 March 1909, pp. 56-58
Editor’s notes:
amicably = friendly; in an agreeable and peaceful manner; characterised by a manner which is amicable (characterised by or showing friendliness or goodwill); characterised by or showing an absence of antagonism
A.N.A. = Australian Natives’ Association (a fraternal patriotic organisation and mutual society which was founded for the benefit of Australian-born white people; the organisation was originally established in April 1871 as the Victorian Natives’ Association, but in 1872 it extended its coverage to all of Australia)
See: “Australian Natives’ Association”, Wikipedia
Asiatic = of or relating to Asia; someone whose ethnic background is from Asia, especially Eastern Asia; an Asian person, an Oriental person
Australian Natives Association = [see: Australian Natives’ Association]
Australian Natives’ Association = a fraternal patriotic organisation and mutual society which was founded for the benefit of Australian-born white people; the organisation was originally established in April 1871 as the Victorian Natives’ Association, but in 1872 it extended its coverage to all of Australia
See: “Australian Natives’ Association”, Wikipedia
Commonwealth = the Commonwealth of Australia; the Australian nation, federated on 1 January 1901
organ = a magazine, newsletter, or periodical; the official publication or periodical of a group or organisation
parochial = having an attitude or outlook which is limited or narrow (especially being limited to or focused on the interests, needs, of wants of a locality, parish, province, region, or state); having attitudes, interests, opinions, or views which are limited, local, or narrow in scope (and thus often being accused of acting in a petty, selfish, or unsophisticated manner); demonstrating or exhibiting a focus on local concerns and interests to the exclusion of wider concerns and interests (e.g. concentrating on local interests in preference to, or to the exclusion of, state, national, or global interests); provincialism; basic, elementary, limited, or unsophisticated in interests, scope or outlook
parochialism = the quality or state of being parochial
prate = to talk at length on trivial matters; idle or foolish talk; excessive and pointless talk; to chatter, waffle, witter, or prattle
prated = (past tense of “prate”) talked [see: prate]
press = the print-based media, especially newspapers (can be spelt with or without a capital letter: Press, press)
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
Leave a Reply