STATE POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9954, 16 September 1910, Page 2

STATE POLITICS.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. RESIGNATION OF THE PREMIER. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received September 16, 9 a.m.) PERTH, September IG. Sir Newton Moore announced in the Legislative Assembly his intention to resign the Premiership on the ground of ill-health. Until a few weeks ago he had intended to continue to lead his party, but his medical men insisted that he must relax the strain without delay. He proposed to remain a private member for a brief period, and after a rest would probably be able to occupy a more prominent position. Tho leader of the Opposition expressed his' regret at the Premier's retirement, and the Assembly adjourned for a fortnight. THE PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. SIR NEWTON MOORE'S RETIREMENT. The retiring Premier, Sir Newton James Moore, is a native of Western Australia, and was born oil May 17, 1870. He was educated at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, and on leaving school was articled-to the late Mr Alexander Forrest, and for some years was engaged on tho survey of the Great Southern Railway. He was Mayor of his native town, Bunbury, for some years, and in 1904 was elected member of the Legislative Assembly for Bunbury. On the resignation of the Labour Government in August, 1905 ( he joined the Rason Ministry as Minister of Lands, and when Mr Rason (now Sir Cornthwaite Rason) resigned to proceed to England "as Agent-General in the following year, he succeeded to the Premiership, becoming the head of his native State at tho age of thirty-five years, and only twenty-two months after entering Parliament. Years ago he was associated with the flotation- of some of the largest- jarrah companies on the London' market, since with his intimate knowledge of the sources of supply, he was able, in conjunction with the then Conservator of Forests, to locate the position in the Western Australian forests of tho various classes of marketable timber. During the present year he paid a visit to Great Britain on State business, and on the occasion of the King's Birthday in June last he was created a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George.