What did Henry Parkes say at the Tenterfield speech?
What did Henry Parkes say at the Tenterfield speech?
In the Oration, Parkes argued that federation would enable the colonies’ militias to unite as a single national army under the command of a single national government. He also argued that it would enable Australia’s railway gauges to be of a uniform width.
How many speeches did Henry Parkes give?
What was the effect of the Tenterfield Oration? The Tenterfield Oration was reported in the Sydney newspapers, and Lord Carrington telegraphed Parkes to return to Sydney as soon as possible so that he could give the same speech there. Parkes went on to give similar speeches in 15 different places.
Why is tenterfield the birthplace of our nation?
The town’s main claim to fame, which is reflected in a genuinely fascinating museum, is that it is ‘The Birthplace of the Nation’. It was in the town, in 1889, that Henry Parkes delivered a crucial speech about the need for Australian Federation which led to the establishment of Australia as a nation in 1901.
Why did Western Australia not want to federate?
Federation. Until 1901, Australia did not exist – it was six separate colonies governed by Britain. Western Australia did not want to join, because the other colonies were thousands of kilometres away. They joined when the other colonies promised to build a railway to Perth.
How many times did Parkes give the Tenterfield Speech?
Parkes spent the night in Tenterfield and the speech was reported in the Sydney newspapers. Lord Carrington telegraphed him to immediately return to Sydney to deliver the same speech there as soon as possible. Parkes did so and then presented similar addresses 15 times in different locations over the next nine months.
Why was the Tenterfield Oration important to Australia?
On 24 October 1889, Henry Parkes delivered a speech at the Tenterfield School of Arts on the need for the Australian colonies to federate into one nation. The Tenterfield Oration is significant because, although politicians had been discussing federation for some time, this was the first direct appeal to the public.
When was the opening of the Tenterfield railway?
Opening of the Tenterfield railway, 1886. National Library of Australia, obj.148884565 On 24 October 1889, Henry Parkes delivered a speech at the Tenterfield School of Arts on the need for the Australian colonies to federate into one nation.
Why was Tenterfield so important to the colony?
Discussions around colonial defence also affected Tenterfield because it was rural towns that contributed the men and equipment to the new light horse military units the colony was raising.