Read Online First Among Equals by Kim; Derry Hogue; Wildman - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kim; Derry Hogue; Wildman
Ads: Link
Holtâs government. While the government ran a successful âyesâ campaign for a constitutional referendum to include Aborigines in the national census, it also made a number of blunders including an embarrassing controversy over the alleged misuse of a VIP aircraft. which ultimately saw the government lose control of the Senate. Then, Holt disappeared while swimming in heavy surf near Portsea, Victoria, on 17 December 1967. His body has never been found and rumours and theories surrounding the circumstances of his disappearance continue to this day.
On 22 December 1967, a memorial service was held at St Paulâs Cathedral, Melbourne, and was attended by US President LB Johnson, the Prince of Wales, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and a large contingent of international dignitaries.
SIR JOHN MCEWEN
THE MAN THEY CALLED âBLACK JACKâ
TERM
19 December 1967-10 January 1968
F ollowing Harold Holtâs dramatic disappearance, John McEwen, then deputy prime minister and leader of the Country Party, was appointed caretaker prime minister on 19 December 1967. McEwenâs impact on Australian politics was much greater than his 23-day tenure suggests. The only leader of the Coalition never to be defeated in a general election, McEwen served as deputy prime minister for twelve years and also served as acting prime minister on several occasions.
McEwen was born in Chiltern, Victoria, on 29 March 1900. Sadly, both his parents died while he was young. He and his sister Amy were then raised by their grandmother in Wangaratta. After moving to Melbourne, McEwen left school at the age of thirteen to help support the family, though he continued his education at night school. After passing an examination for the Commonwealth Public Service, he was employed as a junior clerk with the Commonwealth Crown Solicitorâs office at the age of sixteen, and worked under Fred Whitlam, Gough Whitlamâs father.
In 1918 McEwen enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, but the war ended before he could join the army in France. After he was discharged, McEwen was granted land under the Soldier Resettlement Scheme at Stanhope in Victoria where he started up a dairy farm, though he later switched to grazing sheep. In 1919 McEwen joined the Victorian Farmersâ Union andthen, on 21 September 1921, married Anne McLeod, the daughter of a farmer.
McEwen first attempted to enter parliament in 1932, standing unsuccessfully as Country Party candidate for the seat of Waranga in the state election. Undeterred, he went on to win the federal seat of Echuca two years later. In 1937 McEwen was appointed the minister for the interior by Joseph Lyons, and then when Menzies came to power following Lyonsâ death, became the minister for external affairs. His most significant act in this position was aiding a coup to overthrow the pro-Vichy French administration in New Caledonia, thus ensuring that when Japan entered the war in December 1941, New Caledonia was in Allied hands.
When Archie Cameron resigned as leader of the Country Party in October 1940, McEwen contested the leadership. With the vote split between him and his opponent Earle Page, Arthur Fadden was handed the leadership. Fadden served as leader for the next eighteen years, taking over the office of prime minister briefly in 1941. Meanwhile, with World War II in full swing, McEwen served on the War Council in 1940, then on the all-party Advisory War Council until the end of the war in 1945.
In the lead-up to the 1949 election, the Country Party formed a coalition with Menziesâ Liberal Party. When Menzies then became prime minister, McEwen was appointed minister for commerce and agriculture,a position he held until 11 January 1956, when he became minister for trade. During this time he worked tirelessly to stabilise Australiaâs primary industries. He was also a key figure in negotiating Australiaâs international trade agreements with Britain and
On 22 December 1967, a memorial service was held at St Paulâs Cathedral, Melbourne, and was attended by US President LB Johnson, the Prince of Wales, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and a large contingent of international dignitaries.
SIR JOHN MCEWEN
THE MAN THEY CALLED âBLACK JACKâ
TERM
19 December 1967-10 January 1968
F ollowing Harold Holtâs dramatic disappearance, John McEwen, then deputy prime minister and leader of the Country Party, was appointed caretaker prime minister on 19 December 1967. McEwenâs impact on Australian politics was much greater than his 23-day tenure suggests. The only leader of the Coalition never to be defeated in a general election, McEwen served as deputy prime minister for twelve years and also served as acting prime minister on several occasions.
McEwen was born in Chiltern, Victoria, on 29 March 1900. Sadly, both his parents died while he was young. He and his sister Amy were then raised by their grandmother in Wangaratta. After moving to Melbourne, McEwen left school at the age of thirteen to help support the family, though he continued his education at night school. After passing an examination for the Commonwealth Public Service, he was employed as a junior clerk with the Commonwealth Crown Solicitorâs office at the age of sixteen, and worked under Fred Whitlam, Gough Whitlamâs father.
In 1918 McEwen enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, but the war ended before he could join the army in France. After he was discharged, McEwen was granted land under the Soldier Resettlement Scheme at Stanhope in Victoria where he started up a dairy farm, though he later switched to grazing sheep. In 1919 McEwen joined the Victorian Farmersâ Union andthen, on 21 September 1921, married Anne McLeod, the daughter of a farmer.
McEwen first attempted to enter parliament in 1932, standing unsuccessfully as Country Party candidate for the seat of Waranga in the state election. Undeterred, he went on to win the federal seat of Echuca two years later. In 1937 McEwen was appointed the minister for the interior by Joseph Lyons, and then when Menzies came to power following Lyonsâ death, became the minister for external affairs. His most significant act in this position was aiding a coup to overthrow the pro-Vichy French administration in New Caledonia, thus ensuring that when Japan entered the war in December 1941, New Caledonia was in Allied hands.
When Archie Cameron resigned as leader of the Country Party in October 1940, McEwen contested the leadership. With the vote split between him and his opponent Earle Page, Arthur Fadden was handed the leadership. Fadden served as leader for the next eighteen years, taking over the office of prime minister briefly in 1941. Meanwhile, with World War II in full swing, McEwen served on the War Council in 1940, then on the all-party Advisory War Council until the end of the war in 1945.
In the lead-up to the 1949 election, the Country Party formed a coalition with Menziesâ Liberal Party. When Menzies then became prime minister, McEwen was appointed minister for commerce and agriculture,a position he held until 11 January 1956, when he became minister for trade. During this time he worked tirelessly to stabilise Australiaâs primary industries. He was also a key figure in negotiating Australiaâs international trade agreements with Britain and
Similar Books
