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{{about||the Tasmanian politician, also named James Sinclair Taylor McGowen|James McGowen (Tasmanian politician)|the justice in Mississippi|James G. McGowen}}
 
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{{Short description|Australian politician (1855–1922)}}
{{for|the Tasmanian politician, also named James Sinclair Taylor McGowen|James McGowen (Tasmanian politician)}}
{{about||the Tasmanian politician, also named James Sinclair Taylor McGowen|James McGowen (Tasmanian politician)|the justice in Mississippi|James G. McGowen}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox MP
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
|honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| name = James McGowen
| name = James McGowen
| honorific-suffix = [[Justice of the Peace|JP]]
| honorific-suffix =
| image = James McGowen Premier.png
| image = James McGowen.jpg
| caption = McGowen in 1913
| office = 18th [[Premier of New South Wales]]
| office = 18th [[Premier of New South Wales]]
| predecessor = [[Charles Wade]]
| predecessor = [[Charles Wade]]
Line 14: Line 16:
| term_start = 21 October 1910
| term_start = 21 October 1910
| term_end = 29 June 1913
| term_end = 29 June 1913
| constituency_MP2 = [[Electoral district of Redfern|Redfern]]
| constituency_AM2 = [[Electoral district of Redfern|Redfern]]
| parliament2 = New South Wales
| assembly2 = New South Wales Legislative
| predecessor2 = [[William Stephen (Australian politician)|William Stephen]]
| predecessor2 = [[William Stephen (Australian politician)|William Stephen]]
| successor2 = [[William McKell]]
| successor2 = [[William McKell]]
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| term_start3 = 17 July 1917
| term_start3 = 17 July 1917
| term_end3 = 7 April 1922
| term_end3 = 7 April 1922
| birth_name = James Sinclair Taylor McGowen
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1855|08|16}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1855|08|16}}
| birth_place = "Western Bride", At sea.
| birth_place = at sea
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1922|04|07|1855|08|16}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1922|04|07|1855|08|16}}
| death_place = [[Petersham, New South Wales]], Australia
| death_place = [[Petersham, New South Wales]], Australia
| nationality =
| nationality =
| spouse =
| spouse ={{marriage|Emily Towner|1878}}
| relations =
| relations =
| children =
| children =
| residence =
| residence =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| occupation = Boilermaker
| profession =
| profession =
| religion =
| religion =
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}}
}}


'''James Sinclair Taylor McGowen''' (16 August 1855 – 7 April 1922) was an Australian politician and the first Labor [[Premier of New South Wales]] from 21 October 1910 to 30 June 1913.
'''James Sinclair Taylor McGowen''' (16 August 1855 – 7 April 1922) was an Australian politician. He served as [[premier of New South Wales]] from 1910 to 1913, the first member of the [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) to hold the position, and was a key figure in the party's early history in New South Wales.

McGowen was [[birth at sea|born at sea]] to English immigrants. He was a [[boilermaker]] by profession and soon became involved in the [[Australian labour movement|labour movement]], becoming president of the [[Sydney Trades Hall]] in 1888. McGowen was elected to the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] at the [[1891 New South Wales colonial election|1891 general election]] under the auspices of the Labor Electoral League. He succeeded as party leader in 1894 and retained the position following [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] in 1901. He became [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|leader of the opposition]] after the [[1904 New South Wales state election|1904 election]] and led the ALP to majority government [[1910 New South Wales state election|in 1910]]. As premier, McGowen oversaw progressive reforms. He was succeeded by his deputy [[William Holman]] in 1913 and expelled from the ALP following the [[Australian Labor Party split of 1916|1916 split over conscription]]. He finished his career as a [[Nationalist Party (Australia)|Nationalist]] appointee to the [[New South Wales Legislative Council]].


==Early life and family==
==Early life and family==
McGowen was the son of James McGowen, a boilermaker, and his wife Eliza Ditchfield, immigrants from [[Lancashire]] and was born at sea, on the "Western Bride", on the way to [[Melbourne]]. His father worked building in bridges, initially in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], and later in [[New South Wales]]. After limited schooling he was apprenticed as a boiler maker in 1870. He became a member of the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron Shipbuilders of New South Wales on its establishment in 1873,<ref name=nsw>{{cite web|title=Mr James Sinclair Taylor McGowen (1855–1922) |work=Former Members|publisher=Parliament of New South Wales|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/formermembers/Pages/former-member-details.aspx?pk=993|accessdate=16 February 2007 }}</ref><ref name=adb>{{cite web | first=Bede | last=Nairn | title =McGowen, James Sinclair Taylor (1855–1922) | publisher =[[Australian National University]]
McGowen was the son of James McGowen, a boilermaker, and his wife Eliza Ditchfield, immigrants from [[Lancashire]] and was born at sea, on the "Western Bride", on the way to [[Melbourne]]. His father worked building in bridges, initially in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], and later in [[New South Wales]]. After limited schooling he was apprenticed as a boiler maker in 1870. He became a member of the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron Shipbuilders of New South Wales on its establishment in 1873,<ref name=nsw>{{Cite NSW Parliament |name=Mr James Sinclair Taylor McGowen (1855–1922) |former=Yes |access-date=30 April 2019 |id=993}}</ref><ref name=adb>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |first=Bede |last=Nairn |title=McGowen, James Sinclair Taylor (1855–1922) |id2=mcgowen-james-sinclair-7360 |access-date=17 July 2020}}</ref> he became secretary in 1874. He entered the railways department and in 1888 was elected president of the executive of Trades Hall committee. He worked hard and successfully to raise funds to build the [[Sydney Trades Hall|Trades Hall]] at [[Sydney]].<ref name=dab>{{Dictionary of Australian Biography |first=James Sinclair Taylor (1855-1922) |last=McGowen |shortlink=0-dict-biogMc.html#mcgowen1 |access-date=17 July 2020}}</ref>

| work=Australian Dictionary of Biography| url =http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100267b.htm| accessdate = 15 July 2007}}</ref>
McGowen married Emily Towner in 1878 in Redfern, Sydney.<ref name="adb" />
he became secretary in 1874. He entered the railways department and in 1888 was elected president of the executive of Trades Hall committee. He worked hard and successfully to raise funds to build the Trades Hall at [[Sydney]].<ref name=dab>{{cite web| first=Percival| last=Serle| title =McGowen, James Sinclair Taylor (1855-1922) | publisher =Angus and Robertson (1949)| work=[[Dictionary of Australian Biography]]| url =http://gutenberg.net.au/dictbiog/0-dict-biogMc.html#mcgowen1| accessdate = 15 July 2007}}</ref>


== Political career ==
== Political career ==
In 1891, the [[Labor Council of New South Wales|New South Wales Trades and Labour Council]] established the Labor Electoral League, which developed into [[Australian Labor Party]], and McGowen stood for election to the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] seat of [[Electoral district of Redfern|Redfern]] and was one of 35 Labor candidates to win and the most experienced unionist. He held the seat continuously to 1917.
In 1891, the [[Labor Council of New South Wales|New South Wales Trades and Labour Council]] established the Labor Electoral League, which developed into [[Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch)|Labor Party]], and McGowen stood for election to the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] seat of [[Electoral district of Redfern|Redfern]] and was one of 35 Labor candidates to win and the most experienced unionist. He held the seat continuously to 1917.


While the Australian Labor Party eventually became the most disciplined in the world,{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} the first Labor parliamentarians were almost as independent as their fellow parliamentarians. McGowen was one of three to sign the "pledge" to abide by party discipline. As a result of his increasingly skillfulness as a parliamentarian and his relative seniority he became Labor's parliamentary leader in 1894. After the 1898 election [[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid's]] [[Protectionist Party|Protectionist]] Government was dependent on Labor to push through New South Wales' adoption of [[Federation of Australia|Federation]]. McGowen's support for Federation was critical to Labor maintaining its support for the adoption of measures to implement Federation, even though it remained opposed to the Constitution adopted, which it saw as biased in favour of business interests. McGowen stood for the Federal seat of [[Division of South Sydney|South Sydney]] in 1901, but was narrowly defeated.<ref name=adb/>
The first Labor parliamentarians in New South Wales were almost as fractious as their fellow parliamentarians from the other parties. McGowen was one of three legislators to sign the "pledge" to abide by party discipline. Thanks to his increasing skill as a parliamentarian, his effective public speaking, and his relative seniority, he became Labor's parliamentary leader in 1894. [[George Reid]]'s [[Free Trade Party|Free Trade]] Government was dependent on Labor's support. With their support, Reid reduced tariffs, introduced income tax, and eliminated the property qualification for membership of the Legislative Council. McGowan led Labor in its opposition to the Federation Bill produced by the Australasian Constitutional Convention. The party opposed the proposed Constitution on the grounds it was undemocratic. McGowen strongly favoured retaining appeals to the Privy Council from the High Court, but stressed this was his personal view. Labor reconciled itself to the Constitution once it had been approved in referendums across Australia in 1899. McGowen stood for the Federal seat of [[Division of South Sydney|South Sydney]] in 1901, but was narrowly defeated.<ref name=adb/>

In December 1907, McGowan and the Labor Party—whose policy preference was [[Nationalization|nationalisation]] of the iron and steel industry<ref>{{Cite news|date=1907-12-09|title=MR. M'GOWEN HAS A COMPROMISE.|pages=7|work=Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14911388|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>—moved a last minute amendment that, when carried, led indirectly to [[William Sandford#Failure of William Sandford Limited|the collapse of William Sandford Limited]], owners of the [[Lithgow Blast Furnace|Eskbank Ironworks]] at [[Lithgow, New South Wales|Lithgow]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=1907-12-06|title=DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT.|pages=7|work=Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14898407|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1907-12-05|title=AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING|pages=1|work=Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229507412|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref>


==Premier==
==Premier==
{{see also|McGowen ministry}}
{{see also|McGowen ministry}}
[[File:James McGowen Premier.png|thumb|left|upright|James McGowen]]
McGowen's honesty and judiciousness were reassuring the public and were a major factor in Labor's 1910 election win. While he was Premier from to 1913, he was not an effective director of the parliamentary party, which he left to his deputy, [[William Holman]].<ref name=adb/> As well as Premier, he was also [[Treasurer of New South Wales|Colonial Treasurer]] during most of 1911 and Colonial Secretary from December 1911, both important portfolios. In 1913, while Holman was in England, he attempted to settle a gas workers' strike by threatening to replace them with non-union labour. This alienated the party and Holman deposed him as leader on his return in June 1913.<ref name=adb/> McGowen became Minister for Labour and Industry until January 1914.<ref name=nsw/>
McGowen's honesty and judiciousness were reassuring to the public, and were major factors in Labor's [[1910 New South Wales state election|1910 election]] win. He remained Premier until 1913, but was not an effective director of the parliamentary party, preferring to leave most issues of party management to his deputy, [[William Holman]].<ref name=adb/> As well as being Premier, he was also [[Treasurer of New South Wales|Treasurer]] during most of 1911 and [[Chief Secretary of New South Wales|Chief Secretary]] from December 1911.


In 1913, while Holman was in England, McGowen attempted to settle a gas workers' strike by threatening to dismiss the strikers and to hire non-union workers in their stead. This threat antagonised most of the state ALP, and when Holman returned to Australia in June 1913, he organised McGowen's overthrow.<ref name=adb/> McGowen became Minister for Labour and Industry in Holman's first cabinet, holding this post until January 1914.<ref name=nsw/>
⚫
In regards to social reform, the new state Labor government carried out an active policy of subsidising hospitals and dispensaries in order to bring about the realisation of [[universal health care]] system. However, opposition by doctors to state control forced the government to concentrate on financing new and existing institutions, such as nursing services for remote bush districts, while [[Friendly Societies]] were subsidised and membership encouraged. As a result of the state Labour government's efforts, improved low-cost medical services were made widely available throughout New South Wales.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Foundations of the Welfare State'' by [[Pat Thane]]</ref> In addition, public works were expanded, and important educational reforms were enacted, together with reforms in electoral law, income tax, arbitration, and housing for workers.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


⚫
The McGowen government carried out an active policy of subsidising hospitals and dispensaries in order to bring about the realisation of [[universal health care]] system. Nevertheless, opposition by doctors to state control forced the government to concentrate on financing new and existing institutions, such as nursing services for remote bush districts, while [[Friendly Societies]] were financially supported and membership encouraged. As a result, improved low-cost medical services were made widely available throughout New South Wales.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Foundations of the Welfare State'' by [[Pat Thane]]</ref> In addition, public works were expanded, and important educational reforms were enacted, together with reforms in electoral law, income tax, arbitration, and housing for workers.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
⚫
Three of his sons served in World War I, including one killed at [[Battle of Gallipoli|Gallipoli]] in 1915 and he was a strong supporter of Australia's involvement in the war. The 1916 Labor conference decided to oppose [[Conscription in Australia|conscription]]. McGowen disagreed and was expelled along with most of the parliamentary party.


The ''Theatres and Public Halls Act 1912'' implemented censorship of films deemed obscene, implementing the so-called [[bushranger ban]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/117688374|title=Censoring Films: Regulations Gazetted.|date=6 November 1912|work=Evening News|location=Sydney, NSW}}</ref>
⚫
At the 1917 election he was defeated by the official Labor candidate [[William McKell]], but, now [[Nationalist Party of Australia|Nationalist]], Premier Holman appointed him to the then unelected [[New South Wales Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] in July 1917.


==Later life==
⚫
He died of heart disease in [[Petersham, New South Wales|Petersham]] and was survived by his wife, five of their seven sons, and two daughters.<ref name=adb/> His largely attended funeral was held at St. Paul's Church, [[Redfern, New South Wales]] on 8 April 1922, and he was then buried at [[Rookwood Cemetery]].<ref>''Sydney Morning Herald'' – death and Funeral Notice 08/04/1922 (page 11)</ref>
⚫
Three of McGowen's sons served in the Great War; one of them was killed at [[Battle of Gallipoli|Gallipoli]] in 1915. McGowen remained a strong supporter of Australia's involvement in the war. The 1916 Labor conference decided to oppose [[Conscription in Australia|conscription]]. McGowen, who favoured conscription, was expelled from the party along with many other ALP parliamentarians.

⚫
At the 1917 election McGowen was defeated by the official Labor candidate [[William McKell]] (himself a future Premier), but his career did not end there. His old rival Holman, now himself an apostate from the ALP and leading a [[Nationalist Party of Australia|Nationalist]] administration, appointed McGowen to the then unelected [[New South Wales Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] in July 1917.

⚫
McGowen died of heart disease in the Sydney suburb of [[Petersham, New South Wales|Petersham]] and was survived by his wife, five of their seven sons, and two daughters.<ref name=adb/> A large crowd attended his funeral at St Paul's Church, [[Redfern, New South Wales]] on 8 April 1922; he was buried at [[Rookwood Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15997546 |title=Family Notices: Funeral McGowen |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=8 April 1922 |access-date=17 July 2020 |page=11 |via=Trove}}</ref>


== Speeches ==
== Speeches ==


* Policy speech 1910.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45121386 |title=THE FOLLOWING APPEARED IN Yesterday's SECOND EDITION. |newspaper=[[The Barrier Miner]] |location=Broken Hill, NSW |date=16 November 1910 |accessdate=30 June 2011 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
* Policy speech 1910.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45121386 |title=Labor Premier's first policy speech |newspaper=[[The Barrier Miner]] |date=16 November 1910 |access-date=30 June 2011 |page=8 |via=Trove}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
&nbsp;

{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|au-nsw}}
{{s-par|au-nsw-la}}
{{s-bef| before=[[William Stephen (Australian politician)|William Stephen]]}}
{{s-bef| before=[[William Stephen (Australian politician)|William Stephen]]}}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Electoral district of Redfern|Member for Redfern]] | years=1891{{spaced ndash}}1894|with=[[William Schey|Schey]], [[William Henry Sharp|Sharp]], [[Henry Hoyle|Hoyle]]}}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Electoral district of Redfern|Member for Redfern]] | years=1891{{ndash}}1917|with=[[William Schey|Schey]]/none, [[William Henry Sharp|Sharp]]/none, [[Henry Hoyle|Hoyle]]/none}}
{{s-aft| after=Himself}}
{{s-bef| before=Himself<br/>[[William Schey]]<br/>[[William Henry Sharp|William Sharp]]<br/>[[Henry Hoyle]]}}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Electoral district of Redfern|Member for Redfern]] | years=1894{{spaced ndash}}1917}}
{{s-aft| after=[[William McKell]]}}
{{s-aft| after=[[William McKell]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before= [[Joseph Carruthers]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Joseph Carruthers]] }}
{{S-ttl|title= [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales]]|years= 1904{{spaced ndash}}1910}}
{{S-ttl|title= [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales]]|years= 1904{{ndash}}1910}}
{{s-aft|after= [[Charles Wade]] }}
{{s-aft|after= [[Charles Wade]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Charles Wade]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Charles Wade]] }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Premier of New South Wales]]|years=1910{{spaced ndash}}1913}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Premier of New South Wales]]|years=1910{{ndash}}1913}}
{{s-aft|after= [[William Holman]]}}
{{s-aft|after= [[William Holman]]}}
{{s-bef|before= [[Thomas Waddell]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Thomas Waddell]] }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Treasurer of New South Wales|Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales]]|years=1910{{spaced ndash}}1911}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Treasurer of New South Wales|Treasurer]]|years=1910{{ndash}}1911}}
{{s-aft|after= [[John Dacey]]}}
{{s-aft|after= [[John Dacey]]}}
{{s-bef|before= [[Frederick Flowers (politician)|Fred Flowers]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Frederick Flowers (politician)|Fred Flowers]] }}
{{s-ttl |title= [[Chief Secretary of New South Wales|Colonial Secretary]] | years = 1911{{spaced ndash}}1913 }}
{{s-ttl |title= [[Chief Secretary of New South Wales|Chief Secretary]] | years = 1911{{ndash}}1913 }}
{{s-aft|after= [[William Holman]] }}
{{s-aft|after= [[William Holman]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Ambrose Carmichael]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Campbell Carmichael]] }}
{{s-ttl |title= [[List of New South Wales government agencies#Industrial Relations|Minister for Labour and Industry]] | years = 1913{{spaced ndash}}1914 }}
{{s-ttl |title= [[Minister for Labour and Industry (New South Wales)|Minister for Labour and Industry]] | years = 1913{{ndash}}1914 }}
{{s-aft|after= [[John Estell]] }}
{{s-aft|after= [[John Estell]] }}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before= [[Joseph Cook]] }}
{{s-bef|before= [[Joseph Cook]] }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales]]|years=1894{{spaced ndash}}1913}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales]]|years=1894{{ndash}}1913}}
{{s-aft|after= [[William Holman]] }}
{{s-aft|after= [[William Holman]] }}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
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{{Treasurers of New South Wales}}
{{Treasurers of New South Wales}}
{{Leaders of the Labor Party in NSW}}
{{Leaders of the Labor Party in NSW}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:McGowen, James}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McGowen, James}}
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[[Category:People born at sea]]
[[Category:People born at sea]]
[[Category:Australian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Australian people of Scottish descent]]
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[[Category:People from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Premiers of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Premiers of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Treasurers of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Treasurers of New South Wales]]
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[[Category:Disease-related deaths in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of New South Wales]]
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[[Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Australian boilermakers]]
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[[Category:Colony of New South Wales people]]

Latest revision as of 18:39, 27 October 2023

For the Tasmanian politician, also named James Sinclair Taylor McGowen, see James McGowen (Tasmanian politician). For the justice in Mississippi, see James G. McGowen.

The Honourable
James McGowen
McGowen in 1913
18th Premier of New South Wales
In office
21 October 1910 – 29 June 1913
MonarchGeorge V
GovernorLord Chelmsford
Sir Gerald Strickland
Preceded byCharles Wade
Succeeded byWilliam Holman
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
for Redfern
In office
17 June 1891 – 21 February 1917
Preceded byWilliam Stephen
Succeeded byWilliam McKell
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council
In office
17 July 1917 – 7 April 1922
Personal details
Born
James Sinclair Taylor McGowen

(1855-08-16)16 August 1855
at sea
Died7 April 1922(1922-04-07) (aged 66)
Petersham, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse
Emily Towner
​
(m. 1878)​
OccupationBoilermaker

James Sinclair Taylor McGowen (16 August 1855 – 7 April 1922) was an Australian politician. He served as premier of New South Wales from 1910 to 1913, the first member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to hold the position, and was a key figure in the party's early history in New South Wales.

McGowen was born at sea to English immigrants. He was a boilermaker by profession and soon became involved in the labour movement, becoming president of the Sydney Trades Hall in 1888. McGowen was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1891 general election under the auspices of the Labor Electoral League. He succeeded as party leader in 1894 and retained the position following Federation in 1901. He became leader of the opposition after the 1904 election and led the ALP to majority government in 1910. As premier, McGowen oversaw progressive reforms. He was succeeded by his deputy William Holman in 1913 and expelled from the ALP following the 1916 split over conscription. He finished his career as a Nationalist appointee to the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Early life and family[edit]

McGowen was the son of James McGowen, a boilermaker, and his wife Eliza Ditchfield, immigrants from Lancashire and was born at sea, on the "Western Bride", on the way to Melbourne. His father worked building in bridges, initially in Victoria, and later in New South Wales. After limited schooling he was apprenticed as a boiler maker in 1870. He became a member of the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron Shipbuilders of New South Wales on its establishment in 1873,[1][2] he became secretary in 1874. He entered the railways department and in 1888 was elected president of the executive of Trades Hall committee. He worked hard and successfully to raise funds to build the Trades Hall at Sydney.[3]

McGowen married Emily Towner in 1878 in Redfern, Sydney.[2]

Political career[edit]

In 1891, the New South Wales Trades and Labour Council established the Labor Electoral League, which developed into Labor Party, and McGowen stood for election to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Redfern and was one of 35 Labor candidates to win and the most experienced unionist. He held the seat continuously to 1917.

The first Labor parliamentarians in New South Wales were almost as fractious as their fellow parliamentarians from the other parties. McGowen was one of three legislators to sign the "pledge" to abide by party discipline. Thanks to his increasing skill as a parliamentarian, his effective public speaking, and his relative seniority, he became Labor's parliamentary leader in 1894. George Reid's Free Trade Government was dependent on Labor's support. With their support, Reid reduced tariffs, introduced income tax, and eliminated the property qualification for membership of the Legislative Council. McGowan led Labor in its opposition to the Federation Bill produced by the Australasian Constitutional Convention. The party opposed the proposed Constitution on the grounds it was undemocratic. McGowen strongly favoured retaining appeals to the Privy Council from the High Court, but stressed this was his personal view. Labor reconciled itself to the Constitution once it had been approved in referendums across Australia in 1899. McGowen stood for the Federal seat of South Sydney in 1901, but was narrowly defeated.[2]

In December 1907, McGowan and the Labor Party—whose policy preference was nationalisation of the iron and steel industry[4]—moved a last minute amendment that, when carried, led indirectly to the collapse of William Sandford Limited, owners of the Eskbank Ironworks at Lithgow.[5][6]

Premier[edit]

See also: McGowen ministry
James McGowen

McGowen's honesty and judiciousness were reassuring to the public, and were major factors in Labor's 1910 election win. He remained Premier until 1913, but was not an effective director of the parliamentary party, preferring to leave most issues of party management to his deputy, William Holman.[2] As well as being Premier, he was also Treasurer during most of 1911 and Chief Secretary from December 1911.

In 1913, while Holman was in England, McGowen attempted to settle a gas workers' strike by threatening to dismiss the strikers and to hire non-union workers in their stead. This threat antagonised most of the state ALP, and when Holman returned to Australia in June 1913, he organised McGowen's overthrow.[2] McGowen became Minister for Labour and Industry in Holman's first cabinet, holding this post until January 1914.[1]

The McGowen government carried out an active policy of subsidising hospitals and dispensaries in order to bring about the realisation of universal health care system. Nevertheless, opposition by doctors to state control forced the government to concentrate on financing new and existing institutions, such as nursing services for remote bush districts, while Friendly Societies were financially supported and membership encouraged. As a result, improved low-cost medical services were made widely available throughout New South Wales.[7] In addition, public works were expanded, and important educational reforms were enacted, together with reforms in electoral law, income tax, arbitration, and housing for workers.[7]

The Theatres and Public Halls Act 1912 implemented censorship of films deemed obscene, implementing the so-called bushranger ban.[8]

Later life[edit]

Three of McGowen's sons served in the Great War; one of them was killed at Gallipoli in 1915. McGowen remained a strong supporter of Australia's involvement in the war. The 1916 Labor conference decided to oppose conscription. McGowen, who favoured conscription, was expelled from the party along with many other ALP parliamentarians.

At the 1917 election McGowen was defeated by the official Labor candidate William McKell (himself a future Premier), but his career did not end there. His old rival Holman, now himself an apostate from the ALP and leading a Nationalist administration, appointed McGowen to the then unelected Legislative Council in July 1917.

McGowen died of heart disease in the Sydney suburb of Petersham and was survived by his wife, five of their seven sons, and two daughters.[2] A large crowd attended his funeral at St Paul's Church, Redfern, New South Wales on 8 April 1922; he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery.[9]

Speeches[edit]

  • Policy speech 1910.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Mr James Sinclair Taylor McGowen (1855–1922)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Nairn, Bede. "McGowen, James Sinclair Taylor (1855–1922)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  3. ^ Serle, Percival (1949). "McGowen, James Sinclair Taylor (1855-1922)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  4. ^ "MR. M'GOWEN HAS A COMPROMISE". Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). 9 December 1907. p. 7. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  5. ^ "DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT". Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). 6 December 1907. p. 7. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  6. ^ "AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING". Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909). 5 December 1907. p. 1. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b Foundations of the Welfare State by Pat Thane
  8. ^ "Censoring Films: Regulations Gazetted". Evening News. Sydney, NSW. 6 November 1912.
  9. ^ "Family Notices: Funeral McGowen". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 April 1922. p. 11. Retrieved 17 July 2020 – via Trove.
  10. ^ "Labor Premier's first policy speech". The Barrier Miner. 16 November 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 30 June 2011 – via Trove.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Redfern
1891–1917
With: Schey/none, Sharp/none, Hoyle/none 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales
1904–1910 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Premier of New South Wales
1910–1913 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Treasurer
1910–1911 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Secretary
1911–1913 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Labour and Industry
1913–1914 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales
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