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This item is on display at Melbourne Museum

Badge - White Australia, People's Liberal Party, Australia, 1911-1920 Reg. No: NU 44326

Badge - White Australia, People's Liberal Party, post 1911

Summary:: This badge, alternatively known as a lapel pin, was produced for the People's Liberal Party and features a white map of Australia inscribed 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. Some medals issued around the time of Australia's federation suggested that a federated Australia was not for everyone. The frequent use of a white map of Australia reinforced the government's desire to create a trade-protected, white, predominantly British population. In September 1911 the People's Liberal Party was formed from a merger between the Commonwealth Liberal Party (formed 1909) and the People's Party. 'The People's Liberal Party has from its foundation stood for a national policy of Protection. It has been as loyal to this policy during its comparatively brief life of seven years as has the 'Age' newspaper during its long and zealous career.' (People's Liberal Party (Vic.) Women's Division, 1915.)
Description:: This is a blue and white enamel badge, showing a white coloured, gold inscribed Australia map at centre. It is edged with gold and encircled by a blue border, which is also inscribed. There is a pin on the reverse.

Discipline:	Numismatics
Dimensions:	27 mm (Diameter)

More information

Tagged with:	import tariffs, protectionism, white australia policy
Themes this item is part of:	Cultural Diversity Collection, Migration Collection, Numismatics & Philately Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
On Display at:	Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification:	POLITICS & PUBLIC PROTEST
Secondary Classification:	Parliamentary Politics
Tertiary Classification:	badges
DateEra:	1911-1920 AD
Obverse Description:	On map in centre, "FOR AUSTRALIA", surrounded by circle inscribed "PEOPLE'S LIBERAL PARTY".
Reverse Description:	[illeg] / [illeg] PO PLACE
Inscriptions:	Obverse: on map in centre, FOR/ AUSTRALIA; border inscribed PEOPLE'S LIBERAL PARTY Reverse: [Illegible] / [Illegible] PO PLACE
Material:	Gilt and enamel
Issued By:	Australia, 1911-1920 Approximate date(s).
Organisation Named:	People's Liberal Party, Australia, 1911-1920
References:	People's Liberal Party (Vic.). Women's Division, 1915. 'Resume of the second conference, Women's Division, held at Ballarat, 28th and 29th April, 1915: including Protection, by Mrs Herbert Brookes, social questions by Mrs L.E. Goodisson, People's Liberal Party' People's Liberal Party (Vic.), 1911. 'The safeguard of our liberty is organisation.' The platform, constitution and rules of the party 'C.E. Merrett, President, L.E. Goodisson, General Secretary, People's Liberal Party', Argus, 25 Jan 1918, p.9 National Library of Australia MS 1924: Herbert and Ivy Brookes - includes People's Liberal Party papers - see http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms1924, accesed 6/1/2009