1933 referendum Secessionism in Western Australia

keith watson (left) , james maccallum smith (right), showing page of 1933 secession petition.

james maccallum smith, proprietor of local weekly newspaper, sunday times started publishing pro-secessionist articles in 1907 under editor alfred t. chandler. in 1926, smith, committed secessionist, , others established secession league provide public vehicle advancing secession cause. prior great depression in 1930, state s major export had been wheat. however, depression, wheat prices plummeted , unemployment in perth reached 30%, creating economic havoc. in 1930, keith watson founded dominion league advocated secession , creation of separate dominion of western australia. league held numerous rallies , public meetings tapped general discontent brought on depression. smith continued agitate until mid-1930s when syndicate of nationalists purchased paper s parent company.

public launch of dominion league @ majesty s theatre, perth on 30 july 1930

to counter pro-secession movement, federal league of western australia formed organised no campaign. brought several high-profile people western australia including prime minister joseph lyons, senator george pearce, , former prime minister billy hughes brief speaking tour of perth, fremantle , country centres, received hostile receptions. federalists argued constitutional convention examine state s grievances unable counter grassroots campaign of dominion league. question of holding constitutional convention second question asked in referendum.

on 8 april 1933, nationalist premier sir james mitchell s government held referendum on secession alongside state parliamentary election. nationalists had campaigned in favour of secession while labor party had campaigned against breaking federation. 68% of 237,198 voters voted in favour of secession, @ same time nationalists voted out of office. mining areas, populated keen federalists, voted against move.

the delegation secession of western australia in london.



a dominion league meeting in 1933.

the new labor government of philip collier sent delegation london referendum result petition british government overturn previous act of parliament had allowed creation of australian federation. delegation included agent general, sir hal colebatch, matthew lewis moss, james maccallum smith, , keith watson. argued follows:

the united kingdom house of commons established select committee consider issue after 18 months of negotiations , lobbying, refused consider matter, further declaring not legally grant secession. delegation returned home empty-handed.

as consequence of failure of negotiations , of economic revival, secession league gradually lost support , 1938 had ceased exist.