George Reid (Australian politician)

Sir George Houstoun Reid, GCB, GCMG ( born February 25, 1845 in Johnstone, Scotland, † September 12, 1918 in London, England) was an Australian politician and the fourth Prime Minister of the country. His term lasted from 18 August 1904 to 5 July 1905. He was in the time of 9 May 1901 to the August 18, 1904 and July 7, 1905 to November 16, 1908 to the opposition leader.

The time before he became prime minister (until August 1904)

George Reid was born as the youngest of seven children of John and Marian Reid. His father was a Presbyterian minister. In 1852, he was just seven years old, his family emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, from. There he went to the Melbourne Academy, later Scotch College at the school.

As the economic situation of the families did not improve, his parents moved in 1858, together with the most recent three siblings, including George, Sydney, New South Wales. There he took over 13 years old, work as a clerk at.

At 15 he joined the debating club of a university, where many social and economic policy issues were discussed. During this time he also met the future Prime Minister Edmund Barton know what he campaigned among others for membership in the club.

At the age of 19 years he moved to a position in the colonial financial administration of New South Wales. There he rose rapidly thereafter up to the branch manager of the tax authority. From the early 1870s he began professionally qualified in the field of law. By 1878, he brought it to the office of Chief of the General Prosecutor. Up to this time he also published three writings which dealt with current political issues and much attention has been given. On September 19, 1879, he was admitted as a lawyer ( barrister ) at high courts. This professional position allowed him to give up within one year of his position in the public administration to become a candidate for the constituency of East Sydney.

In November 1880 he finally moved to a mandate in the colonial Parliament of New South Wales. Aside from a brief period in the years 1884 and 1885 he was able to hold this office until the completion of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

On November 5, 1891, now 46- year-old George Reid married the 21 -year-old Florence (Flora) Ann Brumby, with whom he had three children, Thelma (1893 ), Douglas ( 1895) and Clive (1899 ).

Shortly after his marriage he was still in November as party leader of the Free Trade Party (FT ), and thus Leader of the Opposition in the colonial Parliament of New South Wales. In the elections in July of 1894 his party was able to win a large majority, but needed the support of the Australian Labor Party (ALP ) to form the government. For the next five years he was thus the Premier of the colony. His cabinet was one example of Joseph Cook, which in 1913 the 6th Prime Minister of Australia was. His office he was forced to retire in 1899, after the ALP him withdrew their support.

In 1897, George Reid was raised during a stay in London to knighthood.

Although George Reid advocated the merger of the Australian colonies into a coil, but his attitude seemed front hand contradictory. Above all, he saw the interests of the states in the priority over those of the federal se. 1898, in advance of a vote in New South Wales about the merger and the future Australian Constitution, he stated at a meeting to try to vote "Yes ". He made but at the same time clear why one should actually vote against the proposal submitted. As the referendum in June of the year actually failed, they spoke of him as a Yes-No Reid. In the wake of the failed vote George Reid was able to obtain further advantages for the future states. Also, it has now been agreed that future capital will be built on the territory of the then New South Wales. The amended draft constitution was approved in a row in June 1899 in a new vote by the electorate.

George Reid was at the first parliamentary elections on March 29, 1901 in the constituency of East Sydney its mandate for the House of Representatives. Since the ALP under Chris Watson and the Protectionist Party ( PROT ) under Edmund Barton and the Free Trade Party still gave him no political trust, Edmund Barton was able to form the first government of Australia. So George Reid became the first leader of the opposition. This role was written to him because of his thrilling as humorous Debattierstils to a tee.

In the parliamentary elections in December 1903, he was able to keep the share of votes for his Free Trade Party stable, while the Protectionist Party, now led by Alfred Deakin, votes lost to the ALP. The three major parties had now each have almost the same number of seats. After the Deakin government fell six weeks later adopting the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, Chris Watson was commissioned to form a government to prevent George Reid as Prime Minister. As, however, also stumbled Chris Watson five months later on the same proposed legislation, the way for George Reid was released as head of government.

The time as Prime Minister ( August 1904-July 1905 )

George Reid formed a government with parts of the Protectionist Party. With but just one vote it was to be regarded from the outset as uncertain and so ultimately doomed to failure. He was aware that it was only a matter of time before the ALP and the Protectionist Party eliminated their differences. So he enjoyed his time in office. After all, his government could also decide the law, on its adoption failed his two predecessors. On July 5, 1905 Finally, George Reid was voted out of office.

The time after he was prime minister ( from July 1905)

George Reid continued his parliamentary work now again as leader of the opposition continues. His party, the Free Trade Party was, recorded voices gains in the elections in December 1906, but missed its own majority.

In November 1908 he finally gave up the party presidency of the Free Trade Party, to allow a merger of the party with the Protectionist party to the Commonwealth Liberal Party led by Alfred Deakin. This merger took place early the following year.

Prime Minister Alfred Deakin asked him to go in December 1909 as the first High Commissioner of Australia to London. This call came after George Reid happy. On 24 December 1909 he gave up his parliamentary seat for this. To his great disappointment to him Prime Minister Andrew Fisher denied a second term as High Commissioner. Directly following the resignation from that office George Reid was able to move as an independent delegate in the English House of Commons on January 10, 1916 but.

He died unexpectedly on September 12, 1918 at the age of 73 years in London.

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