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| politics_the_post_office [2023/09/18 16:39] – [TLM-P's Career in Politics and the Post Office] judith | politics_the_post_office [2023/11/09 10:59] – judith |
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| TLM-P was active in community affairs from the early 1850s. In 1851 his status was recognised when he was one of the newly appointed Justice of the Peace (JP).((//Sydney Morning Herald//, 27 October 1851, p.3.)) In that same year he became a founding committee member of the Moreton Bay and Northern Districts Separation Association, which worked to create the separate colony of Queensland.((//Moreton Bay Courier//, 18 March 1851, p.1.)) He was also an early member of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society, a society founded in 1862 to promote understanding how imported agriculture could be adapted for colonial purposes.((John Pearn, 'The Queensland Acclimatisation Society', //Queensland History Journal//, February 2020, 24:4, pp.339-355.)) TLM-P was an elected member of its Council in 1863-65, and in 1874 became a Life Member.((//The Brisbane Courier//, 9 May 1865, p.3 and 5 May 1874.))\\ | TLM-P was active in community affairs from the early 1850s. In 1851 his status was recognised when he was one of the newly appointed Justice of the Peace (JP).((//Sydney Morning Herald//, 27 October 1851, p.3.)) In that same year he became a founding committee member of the Moreton Bay and Northern Districts Separation Association, which worked to create the separate colony of Queensland.((//Moreton Bay Courier//, 18 March 1851, p.1.)) He was also an early member of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society, a society founded in 1862 to promote understanding how imported agriculture could be adapted for colonial purposes.((John Pearn, 'The Queensland Acclimatisation Society', //Queensland History Journal//, February 2020, 24:4, pp.339-355.)) TLM-P was an elected member of its Council in 1863-65, and in 1874 became a Life Member.((//The Brisbane Courier//, 9 May 1865, p.3 and 5 May 1874.))\\ |
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| In 1859, Queensland separated from the colony of NSW in 1859. TLM-P served as an Alderman on the Brisbane City Council from its inception that year until 1861.((Helen Gregory, 'Squatters, selectors and - dare I say it - speculators', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, XI:4, 1983, p.87n.)) He was among the 19 eminent men who that year founded the [[http://www.queenslandclub.com/home|Queensland Club]]. It was an elite Club which only the wealthy could afford. In his diary of 1888 (27 June) he notes that his half-year subscription was £3.19.0 (over $1000 p.a. in 2022 values). TLM-P was a Committee member in 1870 and Vice-President in 1889-91. His barrister son Hervey joined in 1882; his eldest son Thomas de M. M-P joined in 1885; and his grandson Thomas B. M-P joined in 1912.((Queensland Club, //Rules of the Queensland Club: with list of members//, Brisbane: Watson, Ferguson & Co., 1891, SLNSW DSM/367/Q; Joshua Bell, //Queensland Club 1859-1959//, Brisbane: Queensland Club, 1959, pp.8,12,85,98,114.)) The Queensland Club was the meeting place for prominent men (women were not allowed to be members) notably squatters like TLM-P.((A. Morrison, 'Politics in early Queensland', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, 4:3, p.294.)) The squatters were never a unified bloc and, while conservative, were not always anti-liberal.((A. Morrison, 'Politics in early Queensland', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, 4:3, p.293.)) However, TLM-P was identified with 'the conservative rural interest' as opposed to 'the urban-liberal interest' group.((Helen Gregory, 'Squatters, selectors and - dare I say it - speculators', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, XI:4, 1983, pp.74-87.)) \\ | In 1859, Queensland separated from the colony of NSW in 1859. TLM-P served as an Alderman on the Brisbane City Council from its inception that year until 1861.((Helen Gregory, 'Squatters, selectors and - dare I say it - speculators', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, XI:4, 1983, p.87n.)) He was among the 19 eminent men who that year (1861) founded the [[http://www.queenslandclub.com/home|Queensland Club]]. It was an elite Club which only the wealthy could afford. In his diary of 1888 (27 June) he notes that his half-year subscription was £3.19.0 (over $1000 p.a. in 2022 values). TLM-P was a Committee member in 1870 and Vice-President in 1889-91. His barrister son Hervey joined in 1882; his eldest son Thomas de M. M-P joined in 1885; and his grandson Thomas B. M-P joined in 1912.((Queensland Club, //Rules of the Queensland Club: with list of members//, Brisbane: Watson, Ferguson & Co., 1891, SLNSW DSM/367/Q; Joshua Bell, //Queensland Club 1859-1959//, Brisbane: Queensland Club, 1959, pp.8,12,85,98,114.)) The Queensland Club was the meeting place for prominent men (women were not allowed to be members) notably squatters like TLM-P.((A. Morrison, 'Politics in early Queensland', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, 4:3, p.294.)) \\ |
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| When Queensland separated from the colony of NSW in 1859, its settler (white) population was only around 28,000.((Ross Fitzgerald, //A History of Queensland: From the Dreaming to 1915//, St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 1986, p.113.)) The first Premier was [[http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/herbert-sir-robert-george-wyndham-3757|Robert George Wyndham Herbert]]: TLM-P shared many of Herbert's values. As well, in the small world of colonial Australia, they had a connection: Herbert's cousin was George Wyndham on whose property TLM-P had gained his initial colonial experience.((Thanks to Don Seton Wilkinson, email to J. Godden, 13 August 2019, for pointing out this connection)) The political system strongly favoured the interests of the wealthier rural landowners, so TLM-P largely represented dominant interests. The idea of mass democracy was still a radical idea and property owners were generally firm in their conviction that they alone had the right to rule - even if it did mean a few women managed to vote before legislation was amended to exclude them. TLM-P stood for the seat of East Moreton in the first election in 1860, urging electors to protect 'the interests of the squatter, the first occupier of the land'.((A. Morrison, 'Politics in Early Queensland', //Historical Society of Queensland Journal//, IV:3, p.297.)) He outlined his policies in a letter to the electorate in April 1860.((//The Moreton Bay Courier//, 28 April 1860, p.3.)) His policies have been summarised as 'a land bill to ensure immigration by leasing Crown land for farming, with pre-emptive rights at any time during the currency of the lease, the establishment of a national system of education, and no state aid for religion.'((Allan Morrison, 'Some Queensland Postmasters-General", Brisbane, Post Office Historical Society, 1953, p4, copy J. Godden; //Australia's Representative Men//, [ed. T.W.H. Leavitt], Improved Edition, Melbourne: Wells and Leavitt, c.1889, entry for T.L. Murray-Prior. The book used is the one TLM-P owned, signed by him and dated 14th June 1889. It is likely that TLM-P provided the information. It states that TLM-P was offered a seat in the Legislative Council, but declined to twice unsuccessfully contest the East Moreton seat in the Legislative Assembly.]])) When he failed to be elected, his sights turned to the public service. \\ | When Queensland separated from the colony of NSW in 1859, its settler (white) population was only around 28,000.((Ross Fitzgerald, //A History of Queensland: From the Dreaming to 1915//, St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 1986, p.113.)) The first Premier was [[http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/herbert-sir-robert-george-wyndham-3757|Robert George Wyndham Herbert]]: TLM-P shared many of Herbert's values. As well, in the small world of colonial Australia, they had a connection: Herbert's cousin was George Wyndham on whose property TLM-P had gained his initial colonial experience.((Thanks to Don Seton Wilkinson, email to J. Godden, 13 August 2019, for pointing out this connection)) TLM-P represented the interests of squatters. They were never a unified bloc and, while conservative, were not always anti-liberal.((A. Morrison, 'Politics in early Queensland', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, 4:3, p.293.)) TLM-P was identified with more conservative faction: 'the conservative rural interest' as opposed to 'the urban-liberal interest' group.((Helen Gregory, 'Squatters, selectors and - dare I say it - speculators', //Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland//, XI:4, 1983, pp.74-87.)) The political system strongly favoured the interests of the wealthier rural landowners, so TLM-P largely represented dominant interests. The idea of mass democracy was still a radical idea and property owners were generally firm in their conviction that they alone had the right to rule - even if it did mean a few women managed to vote before legislation was amended to exclude them. TLM-P stood for the seat of East Moreton in the first election in 1860, urging electors to protect 'the interests of the squatter, the first occupier of the land'.((A. Morrison, 'Politics in Early Queensland', //Historical Society of Queensland Journal//, IV:3, p.297.)) He outlined his policies in a letter to the electorate in April 1860.((//The Moreton Bay Courier//, 28 April 1860, p.3.)) His policies have been summarised as 'a land bill to ensure immigration by leasing Crown land for farming, with pre-emptive rights at any time during the currency of the lease, the establishment of a national system of education, and no state aid for religion.'((Allan Morrison, 'Some Queensland Postmasters-General", Brisbane, Post Office Historical Society, 1953, p4, copy J. Godden; //Australia's Representative Men//, [ed. T.W.H. Leavitt], Improved Edition, Melbourne: Wells and Leavitt, c.1889, entry for T.L. Murray-Prior. The book used is the one TLM-P owned, signed by him and dated 14th June 1889. It is likely that TLM-P provided the information. It states that TLM-P was offered a seat in the Legislative Council, but declined to twice unsuccessfully contest the East Moreton seat in the Legislative Assembly.]])) When he failed to be elected, his sights turned to the public service. \\ |
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| ===== Postmaster-General ===== | ===== Postmaster-General ===== |
| TLM-P's periods as Postmaster-General are as follows:\\ | TLM-P's periods as Postmaster-General are as follows:\\ |
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| 1. **1862 - 1 March 1866**: TLM-P's formal notice of appointment appeared in the press in January 1863.((//The Courier//, 17 January 1863, p.6)) After taking up his appointment, he 'immediately set out on a tour of inspection' returning on 6 January 1862. After TLM-P served as Postmaster-General for four years, Parliament voted for the position of Postmaster-General to be again held by a politician. In order to retain his position, on 22 February 1866, the State Governor appointed TLM-P to Queensland's upper house, the [[wp>Queensland_Legislative_Council|Legislative Council]], which was dominated by conservative squatting interests. Such appointments were for life so he remained a member until his death in 31 December 1892.(({{https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/former/member-register|Qld parliament former members register}}))\\ | 1. **1862 - 1 March 1866**: TLM-P's formal notice of appointment appeared in the press in January 1863.((//The Courier//, 17 January 1863, p.6)) After taking up his appointment, he 'immediately set out on a tour of inspection' returning on 6 January 1862. After TLM-P served as Postmaster-General for four years, Parliament voted for the position of Postmaster-General to be again held by a politician. In order to retain his position, on 22 February 1866, the State Governor appointed TLM-P to Queensland's upper house, the [[wp>Queensland_Legislative_Council|Legislative Council]], which was dominated by conservative squatting interests. Such appointments were for life so he remained a member until his death in 31 December 1892.(({{https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/former/member-register|Qld parliament former members register}})) \\ |
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| | The concept of the Legislative Council was that the Legislative Councillors 'shall be a body of gentlemen of independent means and character, possessing a special aptitude for politics and inspired with a high sense of public duty. They are supposed ... [to be] the best possible substitutes for the hereditary claims to pre-eminence and the inherited capacity for statesmanship, [of the British peerage]'. The //Brisbane Courier// warned that, if they did not live up to this 'standard of political superiority' then they could not 'justify their continued political existence' in a democracy.((28 October 1885))\\ |
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| For a sample entry of one day of his 1862 diary about his work as Postmaster-General, see [[tlm-p_s_diaries|TLM-P's Diaries]]\\ | For a sample entry of one day of his 1862 diary about his work as Postmaster-General, see [[tlm-p_s_diaries|TLM-P's Diaries]]\\ |
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| ====== Other aspects of TLM-P's Political Career ====== | ====== Other aspects of TLM-P's Political Career ====== |
| By 31 July 1889, TLM-P had impressed his peers sufficiently to be appointed Chairman of Committees in the Legislative Council, a post he retained until his death. As Chairman, when Sir Arthur Palmer the President of the Council was absent, TLM-P 'frequently occupied' the position of the Council's President.((Matthew Fox, //The history of Queensland: its people and industries: an historical and commercial review descriptive and biographical facts, figures and illustrations: an epitome of progress//, Brisbane: States Publishing Company, 1919, vol.1, p.173))\\ | |
| \\ This elegant illuminated letter of condolence stressed his friendship with 'most' of his political colleagues, and his status as a Queensland pioneer.((Provenance: ?Glenn M-P?)) {{:mg_1678_copy_rotated.jpg?400|}}\\ | On 16 October 1888 diary, TLM-P wrote that 'Mr Thynne' spoke to him - this was [[https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Members/Former-Members/Former-Members-Register/Former-Member-Details?id=803494377|Edward Thynne, the Representative of Government in the Legislative Council]] who 'said ministers had come to the conclusion that I was to take the Chair [of Committees] which rather took me by surprise.' The next day he was 'feeling anxious about being in the Chair, told Tynne not to hurry and I would not mind if I were left out. However to be as ready as I could, looked over the work and prepared, but was not sure the Govt. had not altered their plans till near the meeting. When Thynne proposed and I was put into the Chair as Presiding Chairman, returned thanks after reading prayers in a few words, felt very nervous, but got through the work which fortunately was not long somehow.... All members of both Houses kind in their congratulations.' The man who was soon to be Premier [[wp>Boyd_Dunlop_Morehead]] 'said that Ministers thought it was a tardy recognition of my services and should have been done before. ... Appointed by Legislative Council - PRESIDING CHAIRMAN - during the time President is Administrator of the Government'. The following day [[wp>Arthur_Hunter_Palmer]], the President of the Legislative Council, lent him his robes and 'Kelly the messenger helped me to dress, cannot say I felt very comfortable in my new dignity, however not so nervous as yesterday and got thro the work which was very short, well. I was sorry not to see' [[wp>John_Frederick_McDougall]] 'in his place hope he does not feel sore about not being put into the Chair, he could not think that I had anything to do with it. '\\ |
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| | On 3 November 1888, TLM-P was waiting for Parliament to be prorogued. He joined around 20 members and former members for a lunch onboard a boat hosted by Thynne. To his surprise, [[https://www.sclqld.org.au/judicial-papers/judicial-profiles/profiles/csmein|Judge Mein]] 'got up and proposed my health, complimenting me on being in the Chair and other things. It is seldom I am brought prominently out, and felt very much as if it (poking fun) however returned thanks and proposed our host and leader Mr Thynne... very enjoyable day'.\\ |
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| | In his 1888 diary (30 October) TLM-P contemplated becoming Chairman of Committees - a possibility due to the illness of 'poor old Roberts', ie [[https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Members/Former-Members/Former-Members-Register/Former-Member-Details?id=1815929287|Daniel Roberts]], who died in 1889. TLM-P mused, 'This would necessitate my return before next Session and if obtained would give me employment, a good reason to live in Brisbane, and salary £500 per annum for very small work; so far just suit me, but whether the restraint and giving up my last Summer in England is not paying dear for a chance.' On 7 November 1888, he noted in his diary that 'Palmer seemed to like the idea of my being Chairman of Committees if I would take it, but said that I would have to be back at the opening, this is of course should I not be there another will be appointed and my chance gone in future.'\\ |
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| | Roberts eventually died, still in office as Chairman of Committees in the Legislative Council, on 26 July 1889. On 31 July 1889, TLM-P was subsequently appointed to the position, a post he retained until his death. As Chairman, when Sir Arthur Palmer the President of the Council was absent, TLM-P 'frequently occupied' the position of the Council's President.((Matthew Fox, //The history of Queensland: its people and industries: an historical and commercial review descriptive and biographical facts, figures and illustrations: an epitome of progress//, Brisbane: States Publishing Company, 1919, vol.1, p.173))\\ |
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| | This elegant illuminated letter of condolence stressed his friendship with 'most' of his political colleagues, and his status as a Queensland pioneer.((Provenance: ?Glenn M-P?)) {{:mg_1678_copy_rotated.jpg?400|}}\\ |
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| Throughout his political career, TLM-P was active in defence of broad rural as well squatter interests: amongst other things he took charge of getting the Crown Lands Alienation Act of 1868(({{https://poi-australia.com.au/queensland-crown-lands-alienation-act-of-1868/}})) through the Legislative Council - ironically this act aimed to stop people [[back_to_england_c.1803-38|selecting land in their relatives' names]], something it is likely TLM-P did himself. He also consistently opposed the payment of members of parliament, effectively limiting parliamentarians to those who could afford to work voluntarily.((//Australia's Representative Men//, ed. T.W.H. Leavitt, Improved Edition, Melbourne: Wells and Leavitt, c.1889, entry for T.L. Murray-Prior. The book used is the one TLM-P owned, signed by him and dated 14th June 1889.(Provenance: J. Godden). It is likely that TLM-P provided the information.)) His wife Nora was one of his political admirers, writing to her step-daughter Rosa that 'It does my heart good to see him in his right place - a recognised leader & clear headed man.'((Nora M-P to Rosa Praed, 21 December 1884, Oxley Library)) In a parliamentary debate on the Queensland Constitution Bill in October 1892, 'Mr Murray Prior said that the time would come when nominee Houses would cease to exist in Australia. He referred to the recent action of the New Zealand Government, and said as a nominee House the Council was at the mercy of the Government, and would be in a far stronger | Throughout his political career, TLM-P was active in defence of broad rural as well squatter interests: amongst other things he took charge of getting the Crown Lands Alienation Act of 1868(({{https://poi-australia.com.au/queensland-crown-lands-alienation-act-of-1868/}})) through the Legislative Council - ironically this act aimed to stop people [[back_to_england_c.1803-38|selecting land in their relatives' names]], something it is likely TLM-P did himself. He also consistently opposed the payment of members of parliament, effectively limiting parliamentarians to those who could afford to work voluntarily.((//Australia's Representative Men//, ed. T.W.H. Leavitt, Improved Edition, Melbourne: Wells and Leavitt, c.1889, entry for T.L. Murray-Prior. The book used is the one TLM-P owned, signed by him and dated 14th June 1889.(Provenance: J. Godden). It is likely that TLM-P provided the information.)) His wife Nora was one of his political admirers, writing to her step-daughter Rosa that 'It does my heart good to see him in his right place - a recognised leader & clear headed man.'((Nora M-P to Rosa Praed, 21 December 1884, Oxley Library)) In a parliamentary debate on the Queensland Constitution Bill in October 1892, 'Mr Murray Prior said that the time would come when nominee Houses would cease to exist in Australia. He referred to the recent action of the New Zealand Government, and said as a nominee House the Council was at the mercy of the Government, and would be in a far stronger |