OBITUARY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1507, 17 January 1901, Page 31

OBITUARY

SIR JAMES DICKSON. SYDNEY, January 10. Sir J. R. Dickson, Federal Minister for Defence, died early this morning at the Australian Club, where he had been staying since his arrival in Sydney. He had suffered from diabetes for a long time, and his exertions in connection with the Commonwealth celebrations aggravated the disease, but until day morning, when he became unconscious, it was thought he would rally. His two daughters were present at his death. Other members of the family, including Rady Dickson, are expected to-ctay. The late statesman, ivlio was in his t>9th year, was twice married, and leaves a grown-up family by his first wife. For many years he was a prominent political figure in Queensland as a Liberal and freetrader. He took a leading part in the federal movement, and was chiefly responsible for inducing Queensland to join the union. He acted as the colony’s delegate to England on the Common. Avealth Bill. A special train conveying Sir James Dickson’s remains was despatched for Brisbane this afternoon. The mftnbers of the deceased gentleman’s family travelled by the train, accompanied by members of the Federal Ministry, Mr J. See (Chief Secretary of New South and several members of the Queensland Ministry and Parlia_ ment Mr J. Carroll, representing New Zealand, and a number of other prominent visitors, followed the hearse to the station. The coffin was covered with beautiful floral tributes, including wreaths from the Commonwealth and State Govern‘Uients. Mr Barton, on behalf of the Federal Ministry, sent a message to Miss Dickson, condoling with the family and expressive of the great loss sustained by Australia. He also sent a message to

mier to place a wreath on the coffin, and to appoint "a prominent Queenslander to represent the Commonwealth Parliament at the funeral. The remains will he buried on Saturday. The flags on the Government Buildings are flying at half-mast. SYDNEY, January 11. Mr Chamberlain (Secretary of State for the Colonies) has cabled to Lord Hopetoun, deeply regretting the loss suffered by the Commonwealth and Queensland through Sir James Hickson’s death, and asking the Governor-General to convey a message of sympathy to the deceased gentleman’s family. Air Seddon has wired to. Mr Barton from Brisbane condoling with him on Sir James Dickson’s death and sympathising with the Federal Ministers on the loss of their colleague. He says the people of New Zealand, with the people of United Australia, will mourn the loss of so distinguished a statesman. BRISBANE, January 10. Profound regret is expressed at Sir James Dickson’s death. Flags are everywhere flying at half-mast. BRISBANE. January 10. Sir James Dickson will be accorded a State funeral. BRISBANE, January 11. Sir James Dickson will be buried with full State honours to-morrow. Ail the public offices throughout the State will, loe closed. The late Sir James Dickson, who was knighted at the beginning of the year, was a native of England, having been hern at Plymouth in 1832. He was educated at Glasgow, sailed for Victoria when quite a young man, and started in life by embarking in mercantile pursuits. After a few years he removed to Queensland, and set up what was afterwards to become a flourishing auctioneering business. He entered political life in 1873 as member for Ennogera in the Legislative Assembly, and in 187 b was a member of the Macalister Ministry for about a month, when lie resigned. Two years later he was Colonial Treasurer in the Douglas Ministry, and he received the same portfolio in the Griffith Ministry of 1883. Four years later, owing to dissension in the Cabinet, he resigned. He was the successful candidate for the Bulimba seat at a by-election in 1892, and occupied a position in the Ministry of Sir Hugh Nelson, on whose l retirement lie became Premier. Mr Dickson retired from office shortly after the adoption of the Convention Bill, the passage which he was chiefly instrumental in obtaining. He then went to England as one of the Federal delegates, ancl on his return liad one of the first claims to a place! in the Federal Ministry, in which lie became Minister of Defence. The deceased politician was the only member of the Federal Cabinet who was not an Australian by birth.