Assists in the West Australian State election campaign, delivering speeches to large audiences in Albany, Bunbury, Buckland Hill and West Leederville.
He emphasised ‘… the importance of the campaign to the future of the Labor Movement in the Commonwealth. …”I sincerely hope,” Mr Curtin concluded, “that my advent to the Leadership of the Australian Labor Party will coincide with the confirmation in office in my own State of a Labor Government. Such a verdict would give me the strongest encouragement to go forward with the great task that has been given to me.”’ 1
JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family. Curtin casts his ballot, 1936? JCPML00376/6
West Australian State election, which is won by the Labor Party.
Attends unity conference as a Western Australian delegate.
[At this conference the Lang New South Wales branch were in effect recognised as the official Labor Party of NSW and the way paved for the two parties to be reunited.] 2Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
The meeting included:
‘THE RECEPTION OF MEMBERS FORMERLY NSW LABOR PARTY
The Leader, Mr Curtin, expressed a sincere and cordial welcome and indicated his earnest desire that the unity would be one of the heart as well as of the letter and that the Movement would now advance with inspiration to achieve the many essential reforms which Labor’s policy signified. The immediate need was for the Opposition to be a real force within the Parliament and one that, gaining in public confidence, would make possible the defeat of the present Government at the earliest opportunity possible.’ 3
JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family. Federal Labor Party, 1936. JCPML00376/152
10.30 am? – 11.45 am
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
10.30 am? – 12.55 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
10.30 am? – 11.20 am
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
The meeting included a motion moved by ‘Mr Curtin, seconded Mr Clark, A message of congratulations be forwarded to Mr Tom Mann upon the attainment of 80 years of age and remembering his great record of service as an exponent of working class claims. Carried’
In a letter written in 1909, Curtin describes Mann as a ‘… man of men ... Papers say of him all the wrong and nasty things imaginable … but I want you to know that he and his good comrades are the purest and the best among many who are indeed worthy. It has ever been that the pioneer[s] of new and better days are persecuted and oppressed by the times in which they lived. To acclaim the future has incurred the odium of the present, and all of human progress has been won by the men who have stood four-square to all the winds that blew - who, seeing the right, did daily maintain it. Let there be no moaning at the bar wrote the poet, and perhaps we should not repine but be glad that men have been, and are of this kind.’
[According to David Black ‘Tom Mann (1851-1941) trade unionist and socialist, was born in the UK and played a leading role in the London dock strike of 1889, subsequently becoming president of the dockers’ union. After eight months in New Zealand he came to Australia in 1902 but returned to the United Kingdom in 1910, and became a foundation member of the British Communist Party.’] 710.30 am? – 12.55 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. 9
10.30 am – 12.35 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, and is appointed to the general purposes committee of the Party. 10
Spends several weeks on a ‘political tour’, accompanied by Mrs Curtin. Attends meetings and civic receptions along the way. 12
JCPML. Records of Robin Glenie. Photograph of Tom Mann sent to Beryl Glenie, 1936. JCPML00510/15
Speaks at the 80th birthday celebrations of Tom Mann.
‘Although the grand old man of socialism remained in England where similar observances were held, “Jack” Curtin led five State and Federal MPs, together with other leading Labor identities … in paying homage to Mann.’ 13Resigns as Trustee of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of Western Australia.
…… I feel that I am not just to my colleagues by this unavoidable constant truancy, and therefore I feel that I could do as much for the welfare of the Institution without being a Member of the Trust at present enables me to do.
Furthermore, I am oppressed by the thought that some very useful citizen, who would gladly share the executive work, is precluded by my membership from identifying himself actively with you.
I therefore feel that the time has arrived when I should retire and make way for some other gentleman or lady who could give better attention to the meetings as well as to the other activities which are part of the duties of Trustees.
Would you therefore accept this communication as a formal resignation as a Trustee?
10.30 am? – 1.20 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, and outlines the speech he intends to deliver on the Taxation Bill.
Delivers a ‘lengthy speech’ during the Second Reading of the Income Tax Assessment Bill 1936, stressing the inequities of indirect taxation and citing examples where the legislation may lead to ‘misunderstanding, inequity or abuse.’
Focuses on earnings by visitors to Australia, maintaining that ‘...money earned in Australia ought to be subject to Australian taxation’. 17Proposes a motion censuring the Government for its failure to promote the adoption of a 40-hour week in Australia.
Argues that the Government were obliged to support the promotion of a 40-hour week as it had supported a motion to that effect at the meeting of the International Labor Organisation in Geneva in 1935. 1910.30 am? – 1.10 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
10.30 am? – 12.35 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
Comments on:
- the use of trust funds in relation to welfare expenditure during the debate on the Appropriation Bill 1936.
- the State Grants (Local Public Works) Bill 1936, supporting the concept, but suggesting improvements.
Attends ALP federal conference in which ‘a deal was struck enabling the party to rescind its expulsion of Lang and his followers, thus swelling the numbers sitting behind Curtin in the House of Representatives’. Although unity was formally achieved, ‘it proved neither very apparent nor real’.
[Jack Lang was Treasurer in the NSW Labor government from 1920–21, and Premier and Treasurer of that State twice, from 1925–27 and 1930–32. The Lang Labor Party was a faction that splintered from the Australian Labor Party (ALP) during the 1930s. The rift arose mainly from Lang's strong influence within the NSW branch of the party and the financial policy stances he took that placed him in opposition to the Scullin Federal Labor government. Lang Labor was centred in NSW, and at one stage encompassed virtually the whole NSW branch of the Party.] 27
JCPML. Records of Arthur Calwell. "Australia's security", West Australian, 21 August 1936. JCPML00694/1/1.
Courtesy National Library of Australia, MS 4738, Series 21, Box 74.
Gives an ‘outspoken address on the defence problems confronting Australia’ at the annual general meeting of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce. 31
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10.30 am? – 12 noon
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. 35
10.30 am? – 11 am
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and makes statement to the Party concerning a Bill related to the Financial Emergency Act [Curtin had ‘demanded an immediate and complete restoration of earlier reductions in pensions. When defeated on this amendment the Labor Party supported the bill’]. Canvassed the wishes of the Party in relation to Taxation Bills.
Comments on the 1936/37 Budget including:
- The impact of the Scullin Government’s policies on the current healthy state of the economy.
- Criticism of the Government's taxation policy, particularly indirect taxation.
- An outline of Labor Party policy on defence issues
- Criticism of the Government's attitude to immigration
- Suggests that immigration should not be considered until unemployment is reduced.
- Questions the Government’s claim that the budget improves the position of every section of society in Australia.
- Calls for an improvement in social services. 37
10.30 am? – 11 am
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
10.30 am? – 1.10 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. 39
Writes to son John with a ‘solid word’ to keep him ‘up to the collar’ for his own good.
Dear Jack,
To day I posted McButchart a cheque for £2-12-6 10/6 for your cricket sub and my usual donation to the club. I hope the show has a good year.
Now, old chap a solid word: here and as busy as can be. Maybe I neglect to keep you up to the collar for your own good, at present you may not realise it but when you are older you may be disposed to wish that I had urged you to study more than has been the case.
It is now that you build for the future. Do spend time at study. It is vital you attend practice for cricket, which is necessary. But practice for manhood and its jobs is also imperative.
We – Mummie and myself – cannot do for you what you must do for yourself. All we can do is to give you the opportunity. Now do not waste it, my son!
You can be a greater man someday if you give your determination to it. So here's to a period of jolly hard study. It will pay you.
Good luck at cricket! And happy summer days ahead. Give my regards to Keith and the boys to be assured of my love and concern for yourself always.
Your loving Father. 4010.30 am? – 1.10 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. 41
JCPML. Records of Don Rodgers. John Curtin with J A Lyons and others, Canberra, 9 October 1936. JCPML00798/2
Courtesy National Library of Australia, MSS 1536.
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party called due to the death of ‘our colleague and fellow member Darby Riordan’. 44
[Darby (David) Riordan was MHR for Kennedy, Qld, 1929-1936. His seat was won by his nephew W J F Riordan on 12 December 1936.]Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and submits to the meeting an amendment recommended by the Executive on the constitution bill.
During a debate in the Estimates Committee discusses:
- Government encouragement of oil exploration in Australia.
- The legitimacy of efforts by the international oil companies to actively search for oil.
- The necessity of Australia to be independent of outside sources for oil.
- The building up of reserves of oil if exploration is unsuccessful.
- Conversation rates for overseas loans. 47
Takes part in the debate in the Estimates Committee on defence policy and:
- Outlines the policies of the Labor Party.
- Hypothesises about war situations
- Examines the best methods of defending Australia.
- Proposes six points for the consideration of the committee.
- Calls for a more even handed approach to trade and foreign policy to avoid conflict. 48
10.30 am? – 1.25 pm
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. Draws attention of members to the portraits of ‘late colleagues David Watkins and Percy Watkins that now occupied a place in the Party room’. Recommends that ‘the following Bills be introduced and not opposed: Industries Preservation Bill, Trade Commissioner Bill, Customs Validation Bill, Federal Roads Grant Bill, Referendum Aviation Bill’. 50
Chairs meeting of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and extends to members ‘best greetings for Christmas and the New Year.’
Questions aspects of Government policy on oil exploration. Stresses the need to actively pursue self-sufficiency in oil.
Chairs ‘Special meeting’ of Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.
‘Mr Curtin informed the meeting of his views on matters associated with the developments arising from the suggestion of the King desiring to marry. The statement of the leader was unanimously approved… and was subsequently expressed in the House as the opinion of the Australian Labor Party.’
Delivers speech on the King’s wish to marry.
‘… The Opposition holds strong views upon this very difficult and, as the Prime Minister has said, delicate matter. To begin with, it says that there must be no coercion, by Ministers of this Dominion or of any other Dominion, of the King, in choosing his wife. The King, on the other hand, must not ask Parliament for any special legislation to suit his convenience in choosing a wife. He must choose his wife from among those ladies who may lawfully be married to him as the law stands at present. In respect of any matter involving legislation, the King must accept the advice of his Ministers of State. Furthermore, we would object to the King or to Parliaments, in the Kings’ choice of a wife, arranging to confer upon that lady a lesser status than that of Queen. The King must not be permitted to alter in any way the status of the lady whom he would choose to be his wife; because he is the King, his wife should and must be the Queen. Furthermore, the King must be fully prepared to accept all the natural and logical consequences of his marriage. If there be children of that marriage, then they must come in the first line of succession to British throne.
The Opposition will leave the King unfettered in the choice of his wife. It will not agree that his selection in that matter should be impaired by any influence of any sort or description. But the King must accept full responsibility, to his conscience and to the Empire, for the choice that he makes. We will not interfere with him, but we will not convenience him, in the choosing of his wife.
The Australian Labour Party hopes that the present King will remain upon the Throne of England. It desires to remain, as it will remain, loyal to King Edward VIII.’ 57Christmas message:
‘In this Xmas message, I plead, as Leader of the Great Australian Labor Party, for alert and courageous men and women as the artisans of a planned social reconstruction. Let us unite ideas in the devising of the transitional steps from the chaos of today to the better order of tomorrow. Violence is no help. Good conduct and good thinking are far better. May we have each in stronger measure in the New Year about to dawn.' 60Attends customary trade unions gathering, and exchanges season’s greetings with representatives of the trade union movement throughout the metropolitan area, Federal and State leaders and Trades Hall officials.
‘The keynote of the speeches was the belief that Labor would be successful at the forthcoming Federal elections.' 61 |
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