Struggle for unity / Graham Wilcox.

Pitt Town, N.S.W. : Graham John Rutledge Wilcox, 2014.

86807

Rutledge, Arthur, -- Sir, -- Judge, -- appointed 1906-1917.

Judges -- Queensland -- Biography.

Lawyers -- Queensland -- Biography.

Politicians -- Queensland -- Biography.

Federal government -- Australia -- History.

Australia -- History -- 1851-1901.

Australia -- Politics and government -- 1851-1901.

Australia -- Federation, 1901 -- Politics and government -- History.

"The author is the great grandson of Sir Arthur Rutledge. The book is primarily a biography of Rutledge, but also tells the story of his involvement in the formation of Australia as a nation. Queensland, in particular, proved to be initially unwilling to join the Commonwealth. The author considers that this reticence to join the Commonwealth was driven largely by the fact that, in the north of Queensland, Pacific Islanders had been captured to work, virtually as slaves and this was strongly opposed in the south. The author attributes to Rutledge a persuasive campaign that eventually got Queensland narrowly to vote yes in the referendum to join the Commonwealth. This is a sympathetic look at a lesser known Queenslander, lawyer, parliamentarian, Attorney-General for Queensland, and delegate at the 1891 Federation Convention. It is an interesting read and shines some additional light on a formative period of Australian history." -- Dr Richard Schulte.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 228-229) and index.

9780646901381

229 p. ; 26 cm