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Story: Australians

‘Aut Caesar aut nullus’ – ‘I will be Caesar or nothing’

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‘Aut Caesar aut nullus’ – ‘I will be Caesar or nothing’

Australian supporters of federation wanted New Zealand to join. In this image, one 1899 cartoonist for New Zealand Graphic has depicted a major obstacle: New Zealand’s premier, ‘King Dick’ Seddon wanting to carry on paddling his own (little) boat.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: J-040-007

by Ashley Hunter

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, Australians – Neighbouring nations, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/599/aut-caesar-aut-nullus-i-will-be-caesar-or-nothing (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 July 2024.