Editing Chris Watson (section)

==Federation==
{{see also|Federation of Australia}}
[[File:Chris Watson 1904.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Chris Watson]]
Watson was involved in shaping party policy regarding the movement for [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] from 1895, and was one of ten Labour<!-- do not change spelling, is correct in historical context --> candidates nominated for the Australasian Federal Convention on 4 March 1897, but none of these candidates managed to be elected. The party endorsed Federation, but nevertheless most leading party figures viewed the draft Commonwealth [[Constitution of Australia|Constitution]] as undemocratic, and believed that the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] as proposed was much too powerful, similar to the anti-reformist Colonial state upper houses and the UK [[House of Lords]]. When the draft was submitted to a referendum on 3 June 1898, Labour<!-- do not change spelling, is correct in historical context --> opposed it, with Watson prominent in the campaign, and saw the referendum rejected.<ref name=adb/>

Watson was devoted to the idea of the referendum as an ideal feature of democracy. To ensure that Reid might finally bring New South Wales into national union on an amended draft constitution, Watson helped to negotiate a deal, involving the party executive, that included the nomination of four Labour members to the [[New South Wales Legislative Council]].<ref name=adb/>

At the March 1899 annual party conference, [[Billy Hughes]] and Holman moved to have those arrangements nullified and party policy on Federation changed, thus thwarting Reid's plans. Although rarely known to resort to anger, on this occasion Watson 'jumped to his feet in a most excited manner and in heated tones ... contended ... that they should not interfere with the referendum'. The motion was lost and the four party men were nominated to the council on 4 April. The bill approving the second referendum, to be held on 20 June 1899, was passed on 20 April.<ref name=adb/>

Labour leaders<!-- do not change spelling, is correct in historical context -->, including Watson opposed the final terms of the [[Constitution of Australia|Commonwealth Constitution]]. Nonetheless, they could not stop it from going ahead, and Watson, unlike Holman and Hughes, believed that it should be submitted to the people. Nevertheless, Watson joined all but two of the Labour parliamentarians in campaigning against the 'Yes' vote at the referendum. When the Constitution was accepted, he agreed that 'the mandate of the majority will have to be obeyed'.<ref name=adb/>