These attitudes led to each colony establishing its own economic and migration policies, some going so far as to exclude anyone of non-British descent. Many people opposed the use of Pacific Island labour because it was a cheap alternative to paying ‘proper’ wages to white employees. This tension was aggravated by the introduction of indentured Pacific Island (known as ‘Kanaka’) labour in the north of Australia. The fact that many migrants had begun to relocate from the gold fields to cities, accepting work at lower rates of pay and selling goods cheaply in competition with white business-owners caused tensions. Reactions of white Australians to this trend were overwhelmingly negative. Prior to 1901 the Australian colonies had seen a growth in non-white migration, especially during the gold rushes as many migrants arrived to seek their fortune. Their perceived inferiority meant they were often paid less, and it was believed they could steal employment opportunities, undermining the stability of the white population. Non-whites, and even sometimes working women, were seen as a threat to this ideal. The nation aimed to attract a well-paid, male, white and skilled labour force to uphold this image. Ironically, Australia saw itself as a utopia and a working man’s paradise, a forward-thinking country that promoted equal rights and opportunities, for 'desirable' citizens at least. In Australia, this idea focused particularly on people of Asian descent but applied to all non-whites, including Indigenous Australians, who were considered a ‘dying race’. In the 1800s the majority of the white population of the Australian colonies shared attitudes towards people of different races that by today’s standards were openly racist.Ĭriticisms of non-white groups were based on the idea that they were less advanced than white people in all ways, especially morally and intellectually.

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