GEORGE
REID
George Reid was the Premier of New South Wales, and a friend of Dugald Thomson. He confused voters about the Constitution, and earned the nickname 'Yes-No Reid.'
Knowing the lead would have to come from New South Wales, the promoters of Federation approached George Reid. Though in the past Reid had opposed Federation, he was a clever politician who could see which way the wind was blowing. After receiving a delegation from the Federal League, Reid contacted the other colonial Premiers and suggested they meet to discuss federal union.
At Hobart, on 6 July 1895, Reid proposed that the Corowa scheme be enacted. South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania supported the idea. The Western Australians declared themselves uncommitted; Queensland did not like the idea of letting voters decide the delegates.
This point having been reached, it was necessary to pass enabling legislation in each of the colonial parliaments. There were only minor problems in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Western Australia delayed for some time, finally deciding that parliament would appoint the delegates-the voters would not have a say. Queensland could not make up which way to go.
Now the Constitution had to be put to the voters, and once again, the old colonial rivalries surfaced. The most strident objections came from New South Wales, which had the most to lose as it was the largest and most prosperous of the colonies. Joining with the smaller colonies meant surrendering much of it's power, or so some people thought.
On 3rd of June 1898 the voters of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania went to the polls to vote for or against the Constitution. The South Australians voted the following day. Western Australia had still not accepted the Constitution and was waiting to see what happened else where. Queensland had never participated in the drafting of the Constitution and still remained outside the process. For a Constitution to be approved a minimum of 80000 voters must say 'Yes'. Because of Reid's negative campaigning, the vote was only 71595.
"Dugald supported the Premier, George Reid"
"Dugald was Minister for Home Affairs in the Reid-McLean government"
Taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
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