Bones for the Growling Dog?: The New State Movements in Northern New South Wales 1915-1930

Abstract

Curiously, although the Commonwealth Constitution made provision for the admission of new States, and numerous attempts were made to form new States, no new State was formed or admitted. The most notable attempts to form new States were in North Queensland, Northern NSW, and the Riverina. This thesis will examine two New State movements in Northern NSW, one at Grafton in 1915 and another, centred on Tamworth, 1920-30. New State agitation between 1915 and 1930 was very significant and worthy of analysis. The 1915 agitation was in keeping with former separation agitation; it was local, grievance orientated and concession seeking, and unsustainable. The 1920-30 agitation was different; it was regional, genuinely seeking the New State, and sustainable. An intensive analysis of these earlier agitations will allow a better appreciation of the subsequent agitations in the 1930s and after the Second World War. Given that the New State issue has continued to simmer, an understanding of the agitation between 1915 and 1930 will have lessons and relevance for modern politics. The starting point of 1915 is a clear and definitive date for the commencement of twentieth century New State agitation in Northern NSW. Ending the scope of this study at 1930 is fully appropriate. The Bavin-Buttenshaw coalition lost office at the State elections in October 1930, thereby ending the New-Staters' influence in the coalition Government, which had granted concessions such as the Guyra to Dorrigo railway line and the Armidale Teachers' College.