Guide 3 to NSW State Archives relating to Responsible Government - OCR - Flipbook - Page 164
A Guide to New South Wales State Archives relating to Responsible Government
The papers also reflect another `crisis', between the Governor and
the Premier, caused by Holman's loss of leadership of the Labor
Party. On 10 November 1916 the Governor wrote in a minute to
the Premier that he would be glad "to receive a formal intimation
of Mr. Holman's resignation" and that the
difference of opinion between the Premier and His Excellency
should in the ordinary course be the subject of conference with
a view to adjustment; but Sir Gerald Strickland feels unable to
transact public business as usual in view of the division in the
House of Assembly this morning. That division shows that Mr.
Wade has taken the business of the House out of the hands of
Mr. Holman, and that the Premier is only followed by sixteen or
seventeen members of the Labour party on the strength of
which Mr. Holman received the Governor's Commission.
In Despatch 107 of 14 November 1916 to the Secretary of State,
the Governor reported that "Holman had ceased to be Leader of
the Labour Party", and that two Ministers had resigned on the
ground that "they would not be associated with the prolongation of
the life of the present Parliament". A few days later, in Despatch
No.112 of 22 November, the Governor reported that a vote of
censure on Holman's Government proposed in the Legislative
Assembly by the official Labour Party on 7 November was
superseded by an amendment proposed by Mr Wade in favour of
establishing a new "National Party" and advised the composition of
a new Government, with the new Cabinet comprising five former
Members of the Labour Party.
Included are: copies of press extracts sent to the Colonial Office in
November 1916 relating to the recent political crisis in New South
Wales; copies of cablegram from the Premier to the Agent
General, 19 September 1916, regarding the national referendum
campaign; extracts from Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative
Assembly 8 November 1916 concerning whether the Government
possessed the confidence of the House; correspondence between
the Governor and the Premier; and comments on the reservation
for Royal assent of the Bill to extend the duration of the present
Legislative Assembly, by David R Hall, the Attorney General. Also
included are papers relating to the need for the Premier to resign
as a result of the reconstruction of the Ministry and the formation
of the reconstructed Ministry.
Governor's Minutes to the Premier — File 56/94: Leave of
absence to Members of the Legislative Council, 1938-56
This file comprises minutes from the Premier to the Governor
indicating that the Ministers had no objection to the leave being
granted; copies of the Governor's letters, to the relevant Member
and to the President of the Legislative Council, approving the
leave; and, occasionally, letters from Members indicating that the
leave would not be taken.
CGS 4544,
File 56/94 in
[12/1449]
Reasons for the leave include ill-health, overseas trips for business
or pleasure, and military duties (approved by the Governor "for
the duration of the War or until such times as your Military duties
permit").
162
State Records Authority of New South Wales
