William Kidston
Encyclopedia
William Kidston was an Australia
n politician
and Premier of Queensland, from January 1906 to November 1907 and again from February 1908 to February 1911.
, Scotland
on 17 August 1849, the son of an ironworker. He became an apprentice ironmoulder at age 13. He married Margaret Scott in 1874. Dissatisfied with ironmoulding, he emigrated to New South Wales
with his family in 1882, and moved again to Queensland
, arriving in Rockhampton
at 1883.
In Rockhampton, Kidston started a new career as a bookseller. During the early 1890s, growing industrial unrest pitted the newly formed trade union
movement against the conservative
colonial government led by Thomas McIlwraith
in a series of strikes
. A major strike by shearer
s in 1891 led to the government deploying military forces. Kidston, a member of the local militia, was in strong support of the strikers, and received a court martial when he refused enrolment as a special constable in the anti-strike force.
. The Australian Labour Federation
(ALF) sought to repeal the antiquated anti-striking laws that had been used against the strikers. Kidston wrote a poem, entitled The Ballot is the Thing, in support of the unionists' goals. Kidston became the main ALF figure in Rockhampton and campaigned for electoral reform – abolition of plural voting
, and extension of the franchise. In addition to the cause of the labour movement, Kidston also supported the separatist organisations in Rockhampton that sought to make Central Queensland a separate colony. Kidston stood unsuccessfully as a separatist candidate for Rockhampton in 1893. In the elections of 1896 he was elected as an endorsed Labor candidate.
In Parliament, Kidston began agitating for a broad coalition of progressive elements to defeat the conservative "Continuous Ministry" now led by Hugh Nelson
and achieve electoral reform. Such overtures met with little enthusiasm from either the Labor or Liberal elements. In 1899 he was re-elected and campaigned against Federation of the Australian colonies, believing that the proposed Constitution
would disadvantage Queensland financially and disappointed by the provision leaving the creation of new states in the hands of the existing state parliaments. He was again re-elected in 1902, by which stage the separatist movement was dying down.
The faltering Ministerialists were beginning to fracture, and when Robert Philp
resigned as Premier following a narrow win on an important vote, Kidston briefly found himself Treasurer
in 1899 in the world's first parliamentary labour government under Anderson Dawson
. The government lasted only a week before it was defeated on the floor of parliament, an experience which convinced Kidston of the necessity of seeking support outside of the ALF proper.
In 1903 an alliance of disaffected Ministerialists, Liberals and the ALF brought down Philp's government and replaced him with Arthur Morgan
. Kidston, a close friend of Morgan, again became Treasurer, being along with William Browne
one of two Labor members of the ministry. After Browne's death in 1904 Kidston became the most senior Labor minister. The parliamentary situation, with equal numbers for both the Morgan-Kidston coalition and the ex-Ministerialists, proved unwieldy and an election was called. Labor became the largest party in the parliament but Kidston was content to let Morgan retain the dominant role in the coalition.
The early years of Kidston's Premiership were dominated by his fight with the Legislative Council
, which rejected much of his legislation. When Kidston requested the Governor, Lord Chelmsford
, in 1908 to appoint more members to secure passage of his legislation, Lord Chelmsford refused and Kidston resigned in protest. Robert Philp
was commissioned as Premier, but without a majority in the Legislative Assembly
, could not govern. Chelmsford attempted to dissolve the Assembly, but before he could do so, the Assembly blocked supply
. The paralysis was ended when Lord Chelmsford dissolved the Assembly, guaranteed Supply in his capacity as Governor, and called an election.
Kidston won the subsequent election and immediately acted to curtail the Council's powers. Kidston also proceeded with laws enacting electoral reform and the establishment of Wages Boards, with the support of the Labor Party. He lost Labor's support when he established private railway construction in the state, but was supported by Philp. In late 1908, presaging the Fusion
in the Commonwealth Parliament
, Kidston's and Philp's parties merged into one anti-Labor force. With several of his former supporters deserting him, Kidston called another election in October 1909. His Liberal Party won comfortably.
Kidston succeeded, after lengthy negotiations, to ensure amendments to the Commonwealth Constitution to provide the States with returned customs and excise revenue. Kidston enacted further electoral reform by redistributing electorate boundaries, abolishing dual-member electorates, and entrenching one vote one value
, though this would later be undone in the gerrymandering of subsequent Premiers.
In 1911, he resigned to take up a position as President of the Land Court, which he maintained until 1919. He died in October that year in Coorparoo
and was buried in Rockhampton.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician
Politics of Australia
The Politics of Australia take place within the framework of a parliamentary democracy, with electoral procedures appropriate to a two-party system. Australia is governed as a federation and as a constitutional monarchy, with an adversarial legislature based upon the Westminster system...
and Premier of Queensland, from January 1906 to November 1907 and again from February 1908 to February 1911.
Early life
William Kidston was born in FalkirkFalkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
on 17 August 1849, the son of an ironworker. He became an apprentice ironmoulder at age 13. He married Margaret Scott in 1874. Dissatisfied with ironmoulding, he emigrated to New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
with his family in 1882, and moved again to Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, arriving in Rockhampton
Rockhampton, Queensland
Rockhampton is a city and local government area in Queensland, Australia. The city lies on the Fitzroy River, approximately from the river mouth, and some north of the state capital, Brisbane....
at 1883.
In Rockhampton, Kidston started a new career as a bookseller. During the early 1890s, growing industrial unrest pitted the newly formed trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
movement against the conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
colonial government led by Thomas McIlwraith
Thomas McIlwraith
Sir Thomas McIlwraith KCMG was for many years the dominant figure of colonial politics in Queensland. He was Premier of Queensland from 1877 to 1883, again in 1888, and for a third time in 1893...
in a series of strikes
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
. A major strike by shearer
Shearer
A shearer is someone who shears, such as a cloth shearer, or a sheep shearer.Additionally, Shearer is the surname of people:-In sports:*Alan Shearer , English footballer*Bobby Shearer , Scottish footballer...
s in 1891 led to the government deploying military forces. Kidston, a member of the local militia, was in strong support of the strikers, and received a court martial when he refused enrolment as a special constable in the anti-strike force.
Ascent into Parliament
The unionists' defeat at the hands of the government prompted the labour movement to aim for political representation in the Parliament of QueenslandParliament of Queensland
The Parliament of Queensland is the legislature of Queensland, Australia. According to the state's constitution, the Parliament consists of the Queen and the Legislative Assembly. It is the only unicameral state parliament in the country, the upper chamber, the Legislative Council, having been...
. The Australian Labour Federation
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
(ALF) sought to repeal the antiquated anti-striking laws that had been used against the strikers. Kidston wrote a poem, entitled The Ballot is the Thing, in support of the unionists' goals. Kidston became the main ALF figure in Rockhampton and campaigned for electoral reform – abolition of plural voting
Plural voting
Plural voting is the practice whereby one person might be able to vote multiple times in an election. It is not to be confused with a plurality voting system which does not necessarily involve plural voting...
, and extension of the franchise. In addition to the cause of the labour movement, Kidston also supported the separatist organisations in Rockhampton that sought to make Central Queensland a separate colony. Kidston stood unsuccessfully as a separatist candidate for Rockhampton in 1893. In the elections of 1896 he was elected as an endorsed Labor candidate.
In Parliament, Kidston began agitating for a broad coalition of progressive elements to defeat the conservative "Continuous Ministry" now led by Hugh Nelson
Hugh Nelson
Sir Hugh Muir Nelson, KCMG was Premier of Queensland from 1893 to 1898.Nelson was born at Kilmarnock, Scotland. His father, Dr William Lambie Nelson, was elected to the first Queensland parliament in 1860 but was unseated because he was a minister of religion...
and achieve electoral reform. Such overtures met with little enthusiasm from either the Labor or Liberal elements. In 1899 he was re-elected and campaigned against Federation of the Australian colonies, believing that the proposed Constitution
Constitution of Australia
The Constitution of Australia is the supreme law under which the Australian Commonwealth Government operates. It consists of several documents. The most important is the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia...
would disadvantage Queensland financially and disappointed by the provision leaving the creation of new states in the hands of the existing state parliaments. He was again re-elected in 1902, by which stage the separatist movement was dying down.
The faltering Ministerialists were beginning to fracture, and when Robert Philp
Robert Philp
Sir Robert Philp, KCMG was a Queensland businessman and politician who was Premier of Queensland from December 1899 to September 1903 and again from November 1907 to February 1908.-Early life:...
resigned as Premier following a narrow win on an important vote, Kidston briefly found himself Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
in 1899 in the world's first parliamentary labour government under Anderson Dawson
Anderson Dawson
Andrew Dawson , usually known as Anderson Dawson, was an Australian politician, the Premier of Queensland for one week in 1899...
. The government lasted only a week before it was defeated on the floor of parliament, an experience which convinced Kidston of the necessity of seeking support outside of the ALF proper.
In 1903 an alliance of disaffected Ministerialists, Liberals and the ALF brought down Philp's government and replaced him with Arthur Morgan
Arthur Morgan (Queensland politician)
Sir Arthur Morgan was the Premier of Queensland, Australia from 1903 to 1906.Morgan was born in Warwick, Queensland, the fourth son of James Morgan and his wife Kate, née Barton...
. Kidston, a close friend of Morgan, again became Treasurer, being along with William Browne
William Browne
William Browne was an English poet, born at Tavistock, Devon and educated at Exeter College, Oxford; subsequently he entered the Inner Temple....
one of two Labor members of the ministry. After Browne's death in 1904 Kidston became the most senior Labor minister. The parliamentary situation, with equal numbers for both the Morgan-Kidston coalition and the ex-Ministerialists, proved unwieldy and an election was called. Labor became the largest party in the parliament but Kidston was content to let Morgan retain the dominant role in the coalition.
Premiership
By 1905 Kidston's collaboration with non-Labor elements had provoked criticism from sections of the Labor movement, and when the ALF's convention in May endorsed a socialist objective, Kidston protested vigorously. Morgan's death in early 1906 led to Kidston's ascension as Premier. In May 1907 he announced the formation of his own political party, to which a majority of the Labor members in parliament declared allegiance.The early years of Kidston's Premiership were dominated by his fight with the Legislative Council
Queensland Legislative Council
The Queensland Legislative Council was the upper house of the parliament in the Australian state of Queensland. It was a fully nominated body which first took office on 1 May 1860. It was abolished by the Constitution Amendment Act 1921, which took effect on 23 March 1922.Consequently, the...
, which rejected much of his legislation. When Kidston requested the Governor, Lord Chelmsford
Frederic Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford
Frederic John Napier Thesiger, 1st Viscount Chelmsford GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GBE, PC was a British statesman who served as Governor of Queensland , Governor of New South Wales from 1909 to 1913, and Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921, where he was responsible for the creation of the Montagu-Chelmsford...
, in 1908 to appoint more members to secure passage of his legislation, Lord Chelmsford refused and Kidston resigned in protest. Robert Philp
Robert Philp
Sir Robert Philp, KCMG was a Queensland businessman and politician who was Premier of Queensland from December 1899 to September 1903 and again from November 1907 to February 1908.-Early life:...
was commissioned as Premier, but without a majority in the Legislative Assembly
Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Queensland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral chamber of the Parliament of Queensland. Elections are held approximately once every three years. Voting is by the Optional Preferential Voting form of the Alternative Vote system...
, could not govern. Chelmsford attempted to dissolve the Assembly, but before he could do so, the Assembly blocked supply
Loss of Supply
Loss of supply occurs where a government in a parliamentary democracy using the Westminster System or a system derived from it is denied a supply of treasury or exchequer funds, by whichever house or houses of parliament or head of state is constitutionally entitled to grant and deny supply. A...
. The paralysis was ended when Lord Chelmsford dissolved the Assembly, guaranteed Supply in his capacity as Governor, and called an election.
Kidston won the subsequent election and immediately acted to curtail the Council's powers. Kidston also proceeded with laws enacting electoral reform and the establishment of Wages Boards, with the support of the Labor Party. He lost Labor's support when he established private railway construction in the state, but was supported by Philp. In late 1908, presaging the Fusion
Commonwealth Liberal Party
The Commonwealth Liberal Party was a political movement active in Australia from 1909 to 1916, shortly after federation....
in the Commonwealth Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
, Kidston's and Philp's parties merged into one anti-Labor force. With several of his former supporters deserting him, Kidston called another election in October 1909. His Liberal Party won comfortably.
Kidston succeeded, after lengthy negotiations, to ensure amendments to the Commonwealth Constitution to provide the States with returned customs and excise revenue. Kidston enacted further electoral reform by redistributing electorate boundaries, abolishing dual-member electorates, and entrenching one vote one value
One vote one value
In Australia, one vote one value is a legislative principle of democracy whereby each electorate has the same population within a specified percentage of variance. In the case of the Commonwealth, the maximum variance for the House of Representatives is 10% above or below the mean...
, though this would later be undone in the gerrymandering of subsequent Premiers.
In 1911, he resigned to take up a position as President of the Land Court, which he maintained until 1919. He died in October that year in Coorparoo
Coorparoo, Queensland
Coorparoo is a southern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located approximately four kilometres from the city. Surrounding suburbs include Camp Hill, Holland Park, Greenslopes, East Brisbane, Norman Park and Seven Hills.-Aboriginal history:...
and was buried in Rockhampton.
Further reading
- Murphy, D J. William Kidston: A Tenacious Reformer. In Murphy D, Joyce R, Cribb M, and Wear, R (Ed.), The Premiers of Queensland pp. 30–69. Brisbane: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 0-7022-3173-8.