A Symbol of Imperial Unity? The Australian Colonies and the 1897 Imperial Conference

The 1897 colonial conference coincided with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and an outpouring of late-Victorian imperial sentiment. Against this backdrop celebration, leaders met Secretary State for the Colonies, Joseph Chamberlain, whose own views as to importance reform were taking shape. For most part, while grateful Chamberlain's interests, Australian feared significant might undermine rather than reinforce unity. As a result, struggled translate pro-imperial sentiment into tangible commitments. This article argues that meetings between Chamberlain in are worthy examination not only because they shed light on Anglo-Australian relations but also provide insight period history British imperialism development federation. Drawing confidential proceedings conference, offers close reading key issues under discussion their resonance contemporary political discourse. Moreover, it contends debates reflected important affairs, series broader ambitions limitations when came campaign unity era.