Walter James (Australian politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Walter James
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Walter James, from the Western Australian Government Photographer Collection
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| 5th Premier of Western Australia | |
| In office 1 July 1902 – 10 August 1904 |
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| Monarch | Edward VII |
| Governor | Sir Arthur Lawley Sir Frederick Bedford |
| Preceded by | George Leake |
| Succeeded by | Henry Daglish |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Walter Hartwell James
29 March 1863 Perth, Western Australia |
| Died | 3 January 1943 (aged 79) Perth, Western Australia |
| Political party | Unaligned |
Sir Walter Hartwell James (29 March 1863 – 3 January 1943) was an important leader in Western Australia. He served as the fifth Premier of Western Australia, which is like being the head of the state government. He was also a strong supporter of Australia becoming one united country, known as federation.
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Walter James' Early Life and Education
Walter James was born in Perth on March 29, 1863. At that time, Perth was part of the British colony of Western Australia. He went to school at Perth Boys School and later at Perth High School, which is now called Hale School.
From Jackaroo to Lawyer
After his father passed away, Walter's mother married George Randell. George was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Council, a part of the government. This made Walter the step-brother of Ernest Randell, who later played cricket for Western Australia.
When he was young, Walter worked as a jackaroo on a large farm called De Grey Station in the Pilbara. However, in 1883, he was in a shipwreck near Rottnest Island. After this event, he decided to study law. He began working with George Leake in 1883 and became a lawyer in 1888. Soon after, he became partners with Leake.
Walter James and Football
Walter James also enjoyed playing football. He played for the Rovers Football Club in the West Australian Football Association. Later, he became the secretary for the Association. On June 21, 1892, he married Eleanora Marie Gwenifryd Hearder.
Walter James' Political Journey
Walter James started his political career in local government. From 1890 to 1896, he represented Central Ward on the Perth City Council.
Joining the Legislative Assembly
In 1894, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. This meant he became a member of the state parliament for the East Perth area. Walter James was an independent member, meaning he didn't belong to a specific political party. He often disagreed with the government led by John Forrest.
Fighting for Social Change
Walter James was a strong supporter of making society better. He worked hard for women's suffrage, which was the right for women to vote. He also played a big part in creating a system where education was free, required for all children, and not linked to religion. He was an active member of the Western Australian Liberal Association, a group that wanted to bring about these kinds of changes.
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Supporting Australian Federation
Walter James strongly believed that the Australian colonies should unite to form one country. He worked hard with George Leake and James Gardiner to make sure Western Australia joined the Federation from the start. He was a delegate for Western Australia at the Federal Conventions in 1897 and 1898. In May 1898, he helped create the Federal League to promote federation.
Becoming Premier of Western Australia
On June 28, 1901, Walter James became a minister in the first government led by George Leake. In 1902, he was given the title of KC, a special recognition for lawyers. After George Leake passed away in June 1902, Walter James became the Premier of Western Australia and Attorney-General on July 1. People sometimes called him "Nutty" James.
As Premier, James worked to protect Western Australia's interests against the new Commonwealth government. His government also brought in many important changes. These included making trade unions legal, introducing the first workers' compensation laws, and strengthening the Arbitration Act. His government also opened the current Parliament House. James tried to change voting rules to make them fairer. He succeeded in stopping plural voting, where some people could vote more than once. He also increased the number of representatives for the Goldfields area. These changes likely helped the Labor party gain more support in the 1904 election. Walter James' government was defeated on August 10, 1904.
Life After Politics
On September 22, 1904, Walter James left parliament. He was appointed as the Agent-General for Western Australia in London. This role meant he represented Western Australia's interests in the United Kingdom. He was knighted on June 28, 1907, becoming Sir Walter James.
Returning to Law and Public Service
After returning to Perth from London, he focused on his legal work and became a very respected lawyer. In 1910, he tried to get back into parliament by running for the Beverley seat, but he was not successful.
Walter James was also involved with the East Perth Cricket Club (now Perth Cricket Club). He served as the club's President from 1908 to 1910.
In 1909, James was part of a special group called a Royal Commission. This group looked into setting up a university in Perth. When the University of Western Australia was created, he became one of its founding members. He continued to serve the university for many years. He became Pro-Chancellor on August 19, 1929, and then Chancellor on March 17, 1930. He retired from this role in 1936.
In 1931, James received another high honor, being made a KCMG. In 1932, he was offered the position of Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia by Premier James Mitchell, but he declined. In 1936, he accepted an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Sir Walter James passed away on January 3, 1943, and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.
See also
- 1904 East Perth state by-election
