OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14258, 8 January 1920, Page 5

OBITUARY

SIR EDMUND BARTON. (.United Press AssociaUon.) Received January 7, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, January 7. The death is anounced of Sir Edmund Barton. Received January 7, 10.50 p.m. SYDNEY, January i. Sir Edmund Barton’s death was dramatically sudden. He had been in indifferent health for some time, and was recuperating at the Hydro Majestic, Medlow. He went to his bath, which was always a lengthy process, and ho alarm was felt till attempts to open the door failed. An entrance was gained through a window. After finishing his bath, he "'3s/Lessinc: in his pyjamas and collapsed behind the door, and died of heart failure. Widespread tributes have been made to him as a great legislator, a pioneer of federation and a great lawyer.

The Eight Hon. Sir Edmund Barton, P. G.C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L., M.A., Senior Puisne Judge of the High Court of Australia, was born at the Glebe, Sydney, on January 18th, 1849. He was called to the Bar in 1871, appointed Q. in 1889, and elected to Parliament for Sydney University in 1879. Prom 1883 to 1887 he acted as Speaker, and was Attorney-General and Eeprescntative of the Bibbs Government in the Legislative Council from 1891 to 1893. After the death of Sir Henry Parkes in 1896 he became the acknowledged leader in New South Wales of tho movement for Federal TJnion, and championed the cause with great vigour and consistency. He was chosen Leader of the National Convention, which drafted the Constitution in 18978, and was a delegate from his State to London to urge the passage of the Enabling Bill through the Imperial Parlimsnt. From 1901 to 1903 he Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs in the first Australian Cabinet. Sir Edmund was a fine orator, and was extremely popular with Australians, by whom he will be remembered for his great national services and achievements.