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--- politics_the_post_office [2023/10/16 18:36] – judith
+++ politics_the_post_office [2023/11/09 12:15] (current) – [Legislative Council] judith
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 TLM-P's periods as Postmaster-General are as follows:\\
 \\
-. **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}}))\\
+. **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]]\\
 \\
 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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 {{:telegraph_staff_1870s.jpg?400|}}TLM-P has written on the back that this photo is of the 'Telegraph Department, officials Chief Office[ers?] Brisbane 1870 [? the last digit is unclear].((Provenance: J. Godden))\\
 Following Tom A. M-P's initiative, this plaque on the Brisbane GPO has recently been restored.{{:gpo_plaque.jpg?500|}} \\
+\\
+===== Legislative Council =====
+TLM-P was appointed to Queensland's upper house, the [[wp>Queensland_Legislative_Council|Legislative Council]]  on 22 February 1866. 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}})) \\
+\\
+The Legislative Council was dominated by conservative squatting interests, men whose interests aligned with TLM-P's. The concept 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)) TLM-P defended the reputation of the Council against the Brisbane Courier's criticism. He argued that the article was, 'if not a breach of privilege, ... very uncalled for. He said he was not in the habit of taking notice of what appeared in the papers, but as the journal in question was widely read by people outside, it might tend to place the Council in a very undeserved position. He had been away from the Council for the past fortnight, and if he had read "Hansard" correctly, he believed the Postmaster-General called the attention of the House to the fact of members being absent. The speaker admitted that he was one of those absent members, but he did not think his remarks applied to him at all, because if he were wanted, whatever his private business might be, his presence in the House was always to be relied upon. The Postmaster-General here interjected an encouraging "Hear, hear," and Mr. Murray Prior continued that the government representative in that House had no doubt good reason for what he had said. He read the article which appeared in the Courier of Monday last, ... to the effect that the Legislative Council had spent very little time over legislation, and they ought to be able to do a little real work now that there was an accumulation of work before the Upper House, that a nominee legislative body had no other strength than that given to it by public esteem, and that the prestige of the Council would be woefully impaired if it could be
+shown that its members hindered public business out of sheer indolence. Such a paragraph, said Mr. Murray-Prior, was almost insolent, .... Instead of there being an accumulation of work, everything was gone through as rapidly as was consistent with the matter in hand. He hardly thought it was the duty of the Council, when a bill was before the other Chamber for three or four months, to pass it in a very short time, and bills had
+been well considered by several hon. gentlemen before they were passed. The Postmaster General agreed in some measure with what had fallen from Mr. Murray-Prior. He could fairly claim to support the hon. gentleman in
+his statement ... and  concluded by declaring that no fault could be found with the progress of business in this section of the Legislature. \\
+\\
+In November 1885, TLM-P was again mentioned in the Courier Mail's report of the Legislative Council, opposing the Payment of Members (of the Legislative Assembly) Bill and other means to ensure the payments: 'The majority of the Legislative Council ... entirely in the wrong, and in throwing away an opportunity offered them of influencing for good the legislation of the colony. They have taken their stand on an assumed right to amend a money bill, and have accordingly thrown out the section of the Appropriation Bill which provides fees for members of the Assembly. There are very few people in this colony outside ... the Council ... [believes the constitution] sanctions the interference of a nominated chamber with the control exercised by the representatives of the people over the public purse  ... The control of the purse by the chamber chosen by the taxpayers themselves is the very foundation of constitutional government. ... The majority of the Council ...  put themselves entirely in the wrong. ... It is no longer a question of payment of members-that point has been merged in the far more important issue [what, was not said] raised by Mr. Murray-Prior. ... The Appropriation Bill [again was considered]  ... On resuming, the Postmaster-General moved the second reading of the bill. Mr. Murray-Prior, after twitting the Postmaster-General for not speaking to the second reading, declared that there were certain matters in the bill which would not meet with the approval of the Council He noticed that in one portion of the Estimates provision was made for ... the expenses of members similar to the provisions in a bill rejected by the Council. It was a well-established rule of Parliament that the same question could not be taken into consideration in the same session when once it had been settled. It was his intention, on the committal of the bill, to move an amendment omitting that sum of money from the bill. After denying that there was any similitude between the constitution of the Imperial Parliament and our own, he said he proposed to stand within the four corners of the Constitution. Our Constitution was our bond, and whatever might be said as to the right of amending bills, that right was undoubted. The question was whether it was advisable for the Council to exercise that privilege. Under other circumstances he should decidedly have said that it would not be advisable to alter a money bill, and hitherto, ever since separation, the Council had refrained from so doing. He had thought over the matter and had tried to look at the end of the amendment he was about to propose. Ministers and others in the other place, who were custodians of the public purse, had, against all Parliamentary usage, voted money to themselves. It now became the duty of the Council to step in and assert their privileges and to avoid a recurrence of the same action on the part of the Assembly in the future, and
+to preserve the money of the people. Wherever a wrong was done Nemesis followed and worse happened. The Council should do what was right and take the consequences. He did not take a stand on the privileges of the Council, for even those privileges should succumb to the good of the people. He took the position he had done believing that it would tend for the good of the people. At first he thought it would be better, in the present state of the country, to refrain from proposing any amendment, and let the bill pass. But on mature reflection, he could not see how they could make themselves //particepes criminis//. Another plan was that the Council should throw out the Estimates altogether, and some considered that that would be the best plan. But he proposed his amendment, in the first place, in order that the Council might exercise their rights, and, in the second place, in order to give an opportunity to Ministers to reconsider what they had done. If the Postmaster General and his colleagues wished the welfare of the country, and not to disturb the finances of the country, they would bring in another bill omitting the sum for the payment of members. Having asserted that the motive of his amendment was not to come into collusion with another House-" Collision,"' corrected an hon. member - or to cause what was called a deadlock, he declared that it was meant solely for tho good of the country.' TLM-P's argument was supported by F.T. Gregory. The 'Postmaster-General, replying to the opening sneer of the Hon. Mr. Murray-Prior, said it was not customary for the leader of the Government in that Chamber to make a speech on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, and that for reasons which must be self-apparent to every member of the House. ... Having expressed astonishment that the Hon. Mr. Murray-Prior had left untouched the constitutional question, the hon. gentleman ... that the Council could not amend a money bill ...  In rejecting the Payment of Members' Bill originally, the Council [opposed the will of the people]...  The bill was then read a second time, and ... when the question was put that the clause do pass, Mr. Murray-Prior moved its amendment reducing £1,804,575 to £1,797,575, which he said was "in fact to excise the vote of £7000 for the payment of members." A divisuon was taken, when there voted for the amendment Messrs. Box, E. B. Porrest, W. Forrest, Graham, P. T. Gregory. A. C. Gregory, Hart, Lambert, Macpherson, Macdougall, Murray-Prior, Power, Smyth, Taylor, Thynne, and A H. Wilson-total, 16 ... and against ... Messrs, Cowlishaw, Foote, Holberton, King, Maodonald-Paterson, Pettigrew, and Swan ; total 7 ... The amendment was, therefore, declared carried.(//Brisbane Courier//, 12 November 1885).\\
 \\
 ====== Other aspects of TLM-P's Political Career ======
-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]] Morehead
+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. '\\
+\\
-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))\\
+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'.\\
-\\ 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|}}\\
+\\
+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.'\\
+\\
+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))\\
+\\
+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|}}\\
 \\
 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