Detail from conference photo showing George Ryce, second row from front, second from right, and John Curtin behind him.

JCPML. Records of Lloyd Ross. John Curtin and delegates to 11th Labor Congress, 1922. JCPML00799/4.
Courtesy National Library of Australia, MSS 3939, Series 18, Folio box 82.

Attends a meeting of the State Executive of the ALP.

The meeting included 'lengthy discussion to the situation which has developed in respect to the resolution of the Fremantle branch of the Seamen’s Union declaring Mr J Curtin (editor of the "Westralian Worker" and trustee of the State Executive)"black" for having refused to publish a letter in the "Westralian Worker" which he considered to contain libels and misrepresentations respecting the States Disputes Committee and other Laborites.'1

[Read a full report of this meeting in the Westralian Worker 23 January, 1925].

The Federated Seamen’s Union with the support of the waterside workers declared a ship 'black' for using non-union, non-European labour. Curtin became involved when he refused to publish an article written by George Ryce, a member of the FSU executive, which accused the Westralian Worker of quoting 'lies printed in the capitalistic newspapers against the seamen.' 2 The union declared Curtin ‘black’ (meaning it would not carry him on any ship). Curtin regretted his decision not to publish Ryce’s article and was hurt at being considered an 'industrial Ishmael.' 3

The Argus newspaper publishes a poem on the blacklisting of Curtin.

'Oh, draw down the blinds of the sanctum sanctorum
And let no stray sunbeam steal in through a crack
If people ring; up on the 'phone, just ignore ‘em
The glory's departed; the editor's black.' 3a

[Read the full poem in the Argus newspaper 3 January, 1925 p5].

JCPML. Records of the Curtin Family. Percy J. Trainer, December 1922. JCPML00450/5

Attends a presentation smoke social held by the Fremantle Branch of the Plumbers’ Union. Presentation to Mr P. Trainer.

'Mr J Coran the president of the local branch, officiated as chairman and intimated, in the course of his remarks, that it was the unanimous desire of the members that some recognition should be given to Mr Trainer for the successful work he had performed for the union hence the social and the presentation that would be made later in the evening.

Responding to the toast of "The Perth Visitors," Mr A Wilson (president of the Perth Plumbers' Union) expressed pleasure at being present at the function, and testified to the exceptional ability Mr Trainer had displayed as secretary and organiser of their particular industry; he also referred to the important work accomplished when their guest organised and eventually amalgamated the Sheet Metal Workers into the Plumbers' organisation. Every member of the union appreciated Mr Trainer's services as a tactful and successful negotiator, and he concluded by saying that it was the intention of the Perth branch to also suitably recognise their secretary's valued services.

Responding to the toast of "Parliament" Messrs W H Kitson and F Gray, M'sLC, both referred to the great services rendered to the Labor Government in WA by Mr Trainer as union secretary, organiser, adviser, and advocate in the Arbitration Court, the latter predicting that their guest, who was in every way competent and capable, would be called upon to fill, in the future, the highest positions in the Movement.

Mr J Curtin made the presentation on behalf of the members. He congratulated them on the suitability of the presentation – a handsome dinner service of 75 pieces – and on their recognition of Mr Trainer's work. It would, he said, help to recompense Mrs Trainer for the long absences from home entailed in the work of any capable, energetic Labor officer.

Mr Trainer thanked the members of the union for their valuable presentation, and also the various speakers for the complimentary references to himself. A comprehensive toast list was carried out, interspersed with musical items …' 4

'Percy Trainer (c. 1886-1947) arrived in Western Australia shortly before the First World War (see Westralian Worker 15 August 1947). He was active in the Coachbuilders’ Union before serving as State Secretary of the ALP in Western Australia from 1933 until he went to the Arbitration Court as Employees’ Representative in 1941-42.' 5

JCPML. Records of Tom Fitzgerald. Frank Anstey c1930. JCPML00653/8/84

Attends the quarterly meeting of the South-West District Council, at the urgent request of officers of the State Executive. Mr Curtin had been billed to speak at Queen's Hall, Perth, but Mr Clementson acted as substitute speaker in his stead. 7

'Mr Frank Anstey, MHR,
Howard Street ,
BRUNSWICK .

Dear Frank,

The sequel there is as it has been everywhere. The enemy failed to turn up. He discovered urgent and unexpected business compelling attention in Perth; and, of course, however much the audience may have been satisfied with what I had to say, it would have been infinitely preferable that my case should have been tested by the presence and contradictions of Ryce. However, so that the time would be occupied to advantage, I addressed three meetings - a public talk in the street on the Saturday night, a discussion with the members of the Council on the Sunday, and an indoor public meeting on the Sunday night. Each of these experiences was entirely satisfactory; that is to say, so far as I could judge the disposition of the audience, they were perfectly friendly, appeared to have entire confidence in the correctness of my statements, and, indeed, developed no little enthusiasm for the fight which is ahead.

Yours faithfully,

[ John Curtin]' 8

Frank Anstey (1865-1940) was a fellow journalist and Member of the Victorian Parliament from 1902-1910. He was a Member of the House of Representatives for Bourke from 1910-1934 and a minister in the Scullin Labor Government from 1929-1934.9

Addresses an indoor public meeting. 10

See Tuesday 20 January. The ALP passed a resolution calling the FSU to rescind its resolution declaring Curtin ‘black’. No reply was received from the FSU and the union was threatened with being 'placed outside the ALP' unless it responded. No satisfactory action was taken and the Party expelled Ryce, the FSU and its executive, though the union was subsequently readmitted.11

Fremantle Public Hospital 1920.
Courtesy Fremantle City Library Local History Collection, Photo No. LH001231B

Attends a meeting of the Fremantle Hospital Board where a cheque for £530 was presented to the Board from the recent Labor Carnival effort.13

Attends the Annual General Meeting of the WA District of the Australian Journalists' Association.

Resigns as President to stand for the Fremantle seat in the House of Representatives. Mr Curtin had been chairman of the district for five years. 16

Curtin was urged to stand for Parliament by friend, Frank Anstey (1865-1940) a fellow journalist and Member of the Victorian Parliament from 1902-1910, and Member of the House of Representatives for Bourke 1910-1934. He was a minister in the Scullin Labor Government from 1929-1934.17

Anstey wrote that, 'if you want to see something being accomplished before you die or I die. Buckle on your armour and if there is anything in the way fall upon it & march on. I want you. Your voice, Your vigor. Your talents. I want your full views to help secure a triumph for the Party – that you could do as much perhaps as editor as candidate. There is something more important than that. I want you inside to make sure that the principles for which the party is supposed to stand shall also be triumphant & not be submerged by undertakers, facilitators and quitters. Now John dear do not tell me any more about not caring. Go and win. Not for yourself but for all those [who] "Sacrifice for the mob"– you know the rest.' 18

Attends and speaks at a Federal election meeting. 23

Addresses meeting. 'People are rolling up in large numbers to hear the Fremantle Labor candidate, Mr John Curtin, present his case.' 25

Addresses a meeting of ladies. 'Laborites are requested to do their utmost to persuade their womenfolk to attend this gathering.' 26

Portrait of William Watson. Photograph by Nash Boothby.
Courtesy National Library of Australia: nla.pic-23515099.