taylor was a supporter of the federation of the australian colonies as a first step in the greater federation. he joined the melbourne branch of the australian natives' association, hoping to gain members. he clashed with republicans over his i.f.l. prize-winning essay, "the advantages of imperial federation" (melbourne, 1888). his address, "three great federations: australasian, national and racial" (london, 1890), delivered to the a.n.a. at ballarat, met with approval insofar as he urged australian federation; but his advocacy of imperial federation and, ultimately, a federation of the british races aroused heated opposition. although taylor held that trade, defence and financial advantage would flow from imperial federation, others feared that in such an organization australia's voice would be submerged.