With the Compliments from the Premier of Western Australia. Memorandum in reference to the proposed Transcontinental Railway from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta.
Perth: Wm. Alfred Watson, Government Printer, 1903. Pamphlet. Memorandum arguing for the construction of a railway line from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta, "the first great Federal work which the Commonwealth is called upon to consider." (p12). Walter James (1863 – 1943) served as premier of Western Australia from 1902 - 1904, defended the state's interests against an aggressive Commonwealth executive, legalized the union movement, created the first workers' compensation fund and worked for a more robust Arbitration Act.
James goes on to state that "to leave one third of the Continent, with its rapidly increasing population and expanding trade, without adequate means of protection; without adequate means of inter-State transit, and without regard to the State's enormous resources, is a position intolerable ... " (p5).
Evidence in support of the new railway line includes the size of the population; the territory encompassed; annual revenues; savings banks deposits; imports of 7,000,000 pounds per annum; the eighteen declared gold fields; the branch of the Royal Mint; the payments of 8,000,000 pounds in dividends from gold mines; the agricultural and mineral production; the state's expenditures for railway construction, fencing & road making; the sinking fund for loans; and the healthy state of its loan indebtedness.
Small 8vo, 12 pp. Cream paper wrappers, title in black at front wrapper, black swan engraved illustration. A vertical fold line, rear wrapper a bit dusty. Trove 9461171. OCLC: 217855401. Very good condition. Item #21463
Price: $450.00