THE LATE MR. RYAN

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 28, 2 August 1921, Page 7

THE LATE MR. RYAN

PRIME MINISTER'S TRIBUTE

"A GAP IN THE PUBLIC LIFE OF

AUSTRALIA.'"

(DMIrJD PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTMOHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN - NBIV ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received August 2, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, Ist August.

When the news of Mr. T. J. Ryan's death was communicated to Mr. W. M. .Hughes he was greatly distressed. Mr. Hughes said : "It comes as a positive shock thai) a man in the prime of life should be thus cut off. It is so utterly unexpected, tragic, and sad as to leave one almost bereft of words. I, as one of his old friends, whether political opponents' or not, am very sorry and sad. I disagreed with him' in politics, but liked him as a man. His untimely and sudden death leaves a gap in the public life of Australia which will not be 1 readily filled. All sections of the Federal Pariiament will deeply moivrn hk loss. I do go sincerely, and tender my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Eyan and her family-"' The Hon. J. M. Hunter (Agent-Gen-eral for Victoria) also expressed his sympathy and sorrow.

SYDNEY, Ist August. Widespread regret is expressed by all political parties in all the States at Mr. T. J. Ryan's death. He is referred to as the strong man of the Labour Party. He wjll be given.a State funeral at Brisbane.

(Received August 2, 11 a.m.)

BRISBANE, This Day.

Mr. Ryan was in the middle of a strenuous by-election campaign. Just before the fatal seizure, he delivered an hour's speech. His voice was husky, but otherwise he was apparently in good health.

Mr. Thomas Joseph Ryan was a 'prominent figure in the Australian Labour political world, and for seme years had been a prominent member of the Brisbane Bar. He was born at Port Fairy (Victoria), in July, 1876. He was educated at St. Francis Xavier's College (Kew), and at the South Melbourne 'Cbl- ) and subsequently took his B.A. degree, with honours in classics, at Melbourne University. For a time he was assistant classical master in University High School, Melbourne, and subsequently held positions of classical master at the Church of England Grammar School at Tjaunceston (Tasmania), Maryborough (Queensland) Grammar School, and RocHiampton Grammar School. When in Melbourne he studied law, and took his degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the year 1901, when eecond master at Rocl-hampton Grammar School, he was admitted to the Queensland Bar, and at' once commenced his practice as a barrister in, R.oclthnmpton. After one definite essay as a Deakinite candidate sn Federal politics, and an appearance as an independent candidate in State politics, which was not carried, to the pollin? booth, Mr. Rvan 'became associated with the unionised workers in Qentral Queensland, and in the year 1909 ihe opposed Mr. George Knrr as a Caucusite, nnd was elected to Parliament. About 1.91.2 he was elected leader of the Caucus Party. in .accession to Mr. D. Bo\vma.n. who rptirerl on account of ill-health, and in 1915 he was leader of the victorious T/iliour Party at the elections, and became Premier of Qnpfinsland. He repined his office in 1919 to content the Wewf. Sydney peat in t-fco FeVlor.il Parliament, n.nd was successful. I" June last Mi". "Rvan sued the TToKqrt Mmvurv for 000 damaws for alleffed libel, but thfl. en so was decided in favour of the defendants.