Douglas’s appointment was unexpected, because in
opposition he had been a trenchant opponent of the government. Now he was in a ministry with Macalister,
Robert Ramsay Mackenzie, Charles Lilley and Joshua Bell, some of his erstwhile
adversaries.[4] Why was Douglas, who had been a senior member
of the opposition and an outspoken critic of Macalister, offered the position,
and what made him accept it? Politics
can make for strange bedfellows, one reporter cryptically remarking before the
announcement that while Douglas:
would hardly work under such a leader as Mr. Macalister in the assembly, but we see no improbability in the report that he is about to join a coalition ministry.[5]Changing one’s allegiance in parliament was not unusual in an era of factional alliances and no organised political parties. While parliament was split overall along liberal/town/small business and squatter/country/conservative lines, passage of legislation was dependent on deals between small cliques, ostensibly to obtain benefits for members and their constituencies. These cliques, whether liberals or squatters, were willing and able to work with each other, resulting in frequent changes to ministries.[6]
The Brisbane
Courier supported Douglas’s appointment.
The Walhalla in which Mr. Douglas will now appear as legislator, is a place we should imagine, after his own heart. The members of that august body have received in time a congenial acquisition.[7]It appears that Macalister had reluctantly been ‘persuaded’ by Robert Mackenzie to include Douglas.[8] Mackenzie, leader of the opposition in the previous parliamentary session and now the colonial secretary, had insisted on Douglas being included as the price for his support.[9]
Douglas and Macalister disagreed on many issues,
including railways and education policy.
Nevertheless, Douglas was prepared to modify his views and put aside his
disagreements for the sake of a ministerial position. He declared that he would work with
Macalister for the benefit of both himself and the colony. Douglas the principled had become Douglas the
pragmatist, reluctantly prepared to compromise for the sake of the
country. However, this did not come
naturally to him and it could not and did not last. Try as he might to accommodate and
compromise, at heart he was still a maverick, possessing core beliefs on
fairness, honesty, prudence, probity, and honour that he could not abandon, no
matter what the cost.
Thus, we now find Douglas noting that, on the question of
building the northern railway in central Queensland, because it had “been
decided by the voice of the country,” he would not now oppose it.[10] As to his disagreement with Macalister over
education, Douglas now let it be known that “the difference was not so wide as
some persons imagined.”[11] Moreover, as for his previously adversarial
relationship with Macalister, he now conceded that Macalister was “a gentleman
of great sagacity.”[12] Nonetheless, these words of endearment could
not hide the reality that Douglas held differing views to his ministerial
colleagues on a range of issues.[13]
Acceptance of this ministerial post demonstrated
Douglas’s continued political maturation and his effectiveness in challenging
and embarrassing the government from the opposition benches. He saw it as a reward for past parliamentary
performance and an opportunity to make a greater contribution to the colony
within, rather than outside, the citadel of power. Nevertheless, unlike most politicians, he
accepted the position out of duty and service, rather than simply for personal
aggrandisement or due to overweening personal ambition. Nonetheless, while Douglas was prepared to
compromise, he still reserved the right to say what he believed, irrespective
of the consequences for both himself and his parliamentary colleagues.
In March 1866, Douglas was appointed postmaster-general
of Queensland at a salary of £600 per annum.[14] This decision by Macalister was
controversial, for the previous incumbent, Thomas Lodge Murray Prior, had been
appointed as the permanent head of the department,[15]
and many were opposed to a political appointment.[16] To those who believed that Douglas was not
qualified to administer the post, the Brisbane Courier directed this
barbed observation:
We believe that, when it is required of him, he will prove perfectly competent to administer the most insignificant details connected with his department; and his undoubtedly vast store of theoretical knowledge will not be useless.[17]As a member of the legislative council,[18] Douglas actively participated in its affairs, [19] although it was not possible for him to have the same profile and exposure that he enjoyed in the legislative assembly.[20] He was also responsible for initiating and chairing an inquiry into the defences of the colony which recommended an increase in the volunteer artillery, the need to train seamen in the use of weapons, and a recommendation that the imperial government provide additional defence funding and assistance.[21] However, there were storm clouds gathering on the horizon, with the Macalister ministry shortly to be swept from office by a financial crisis not entirely of its own making and occasioned by forces in large part beyond its control.
[1] Bernays, pp. 34-35
[2] “Weekly Epitome.” Brisbane 3 February 1866 , p. 5; Queensland Government
Gazette, vol 7 no 13, 1 February 1866, pp. 155-56
[3] “Appointments to the Legislative Council.” Queensland Douglas ’s
appointment on 22 February, to come into effect on 1 March. Douglas
resigned his Port Curtis seat and was succeeded by Arthur Hunter Palmer on 19 March 1866 . (Statistical
Register of Queensland
[4] De Satge, pp. 228-29. Henry
Bates Fitz, a member of the legislative council, later remarked, “some members
of the present government, not only politically, but personally, detested each
other.” (H. B. Fitz. “Appointment of
Postmaster-General.” Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol 3,
1866, p. 43.) While Douglas was to have
many disagreements with Macalister over the latter’s politics, which Douglas considered “unstable,” Douglas and Macalister
remained friends. (Mr. Douglas. “Want of Confidence Motion.” Queensland
Parliamentary Debates, vol 20, 1876, p. 222)
[5] Rockhampton Bulletin, 23 January 1866
[6] Gray, p. 38
[7] Brisbane 10
February 1866 . The Warwick
Argus also gave its support: “The ministry has a powerful and able
auxiliary in the Hon John Douglas.” Warwick 20 February 1866 ,
p. 2
[8] “Ministerial Statement.” Brisbane 12 April 1866 , p. 3; Mason, p. 72; John
Douglas. “Appointment of
Postmaster-General.” Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol 3,
1866, pp. 40-41
[9] John Douglas. “Appointment
of Postmaster-General.” Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol 3,
1866, p. 40. It is difficult to surmise
why Mackenzie wanted Douglas in the ministry, although he was probably
influenced by Lilley and Bell who believed that Douglas would be a valuable addition, for he was a
hardworking and popular parliamentarian who held similar liberal beliefs to
themselves (Mason, p. 72)
[10] “Ministerial Statement.” Brisbane 12 April 1866 , p. 3
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] “Hon. John Douglas at Warwick 5 January 1867 , p.
6
[14] Brisbane Courier, 24 February 1866 , p. 5; Statistical Register
of Queensland Douglas had been appointed a minister without portfolio
and then three weeks later as postmaster-general was that he was originally to
be appointed minister for lands. This
portfolio was then responsible for both lands and works, but Macalister decided
to split them, with Douglas having
responsibility for the lands component.
However, Douglas objected, believing
“that no authority had been provided for the change by the parliament.” (John Douglas. “Appointment of Postmaster-General.” Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol
3, 1866, p. 40)
[15] John Douglas. “Appointment
of the Postmaster-General.” Queensland Parliamentary Debates, vol 3,
1866, p. 41; “Position of the Postmaster-General.” Queensland
Legislative Council Journals, vol 9, 1866, paper no 7; Thomas Murray Prior.
“Appointment of the Postmaster-General.”
Queensland Parliamentary Debates,
vol 3, 1866, p. 42
[16] Queenslander, 11 August 1866 , p. 5
[17] Brisbane 24
February 1866 , p. 4
[18] Brisbane 11 April 1866 . The fourth session of the second Parliament
commenced on 10 April 1866 . However, Douglas
was appointed to the legislative council by writ of summons dated 1 March 1866 as approved by the Executive
Council on 22
February 1866 . (“Minutes of
Executive Council Respecting Appointments to the Legislative Council.” Queensland
Legislative Council Journals, vol 9, 1866, Paper no 6.) Through the appointment Douglas
became the first salaried minister to sit in the council, a measure the upper
house had long championed. (Harding
(1997), p. 166; Hardy, p. 140)
[19] Douglas was conscientious in his
attendance in the council, being present on 27 of the 28 sitting days. He was responsible for the Opening of Roads and the Inquests of Death Bills, and was a
member of the Standing Orders, Joint Library and Joint Parliamentary Buildings Committees. (John Douglas. “Defences of the Colony.” Queensland
Parliamentary Debates, vol 3, 1866, pp. 88-89; “Register of Bills
Originated in the Queensland Legislative Council-Session of 1866.” Queensland
Legislative Council Journals, vol 9, 1866, p. 161; “Register of Attendance
of Members of the Legislative Council during the Session of 1866.” Queensland
Legislative Council Journals, vol 9, 1866, p. 169; “Select Committees
Appointed during the Session of 1866.” Queensland Legislative Council Journals,
vol, 1866, pp. 167-69)
[20] See “Minutes of the Proceedings of the Legislative Councils,” no’s
1-28. Queensland Legislative Council Journals, vol 9, 1866, pp.
1-75. However, Douglas
found his duties and responsibilities as postmaster-general onerous, for he was
responsible for all aspects of the department.
[21] “Report of Select Committee on Defence of the Colony.” Queensland
Legislative Council Journals, vol 9, 1866, Paper 34, p. 3. In relation to colonial defence, Douglas made
the interesting observation that Queensland
