In it, Douglas extolled his previous political achievements and
set out his views on the major issues of the day, namely the push for
separation by the northern part of the colony and demands by the electorate for
increased parliamentary representation. [2] Rather than advocating separation, Douglas sought, given the rapid growth of the colony, to
have more power devolved to local authorities.[3] He supported increased parliamentary
representation, to be achieved by creating additional seats to increase the
representation of new and existing districts whose populations were
growing. In a personal plea to the
voters, he reminded them of his previous service as their member in 1868.[4]
In his first
address to the electorate, Douglas informed
them that the reason he was standing for election as an independent was to be
“free from any defined connection with any party.”[5]
However,
instead of supporting separation for that portion of the colony north of
Rockhampton, Douglas made a passionate, and,
for the time, far-sighted plea, for unity rather than disunity, for federation
rather than separation, noting that the “different colonies should be united
under a federal government.”[6] It was, to his mind “absurd that a country
possessing such a geographical unity as Australia
It is evident
that his time in London Australia
Douglas, the
first aspirant to declare his candidature for East Moreton ,
had indicated to the electorate a willingness to act as an independent, and had
passionately and eloquently opposed separation and the importation of Pacific
Islander labour while also calling for electoral reform. Nevertheless, the Brisbane Courier sounded a warning over Douglas ’s
determination to retain an independent stance, noting that if he wanted to implement
his platform, “he will find party union not the least indispensable preliminary
to their attainment.”[11]
However,
Douglas’s main barrier to electoral success was another liberal candidate;
William Hemmant, a 33-year-old draper shop-owner, who, like Douglas, opposed
Palmer, but, unlike Douglas , had also the
explicit and unqualified support of the leader of the opposition, Charles
Lilley.[12] Unfortunately, for Douglas ,
standing against a candidate expressly backed by his former political
colleagues considerably reduced his chances.
That both men’s campaigns were largely indistinguishable - for Hemmant
also supported emigration, additional representation based on population, and
the cessation of Pacific Islander importation – did not help either. Where they differed was that Hemmant, unlike Douglas , loyally supported the liberal opposition.[13]
In an address
to the electorate, Hemmant belittled Douglas ’s
declaration of independence and warned of dire consequences if it returned an
independent candidate. The seat of East Moreton returned two members to parliament and both
Henry Jordan and Robert Travers Atkin, the previous incumbents, supported the
opposition. [14] Hemmant used this to illustrate his point
that if Douglas was returned, then one member
would be supporting the opposition and one would be on the cross-benches as an
independent. This would create an
intolerable situation, with the government able to say:
that East Moreton had re-considered its decision, and
that it had withdrawn its support from the policy of the opposition ... and how
the hands of the government would be strengthened thereby there could be no
doubt.[15]
In supporting
Hemmant at the meeting, Lilley reminded the electorate of Douglas ’s
previous speech to them where he had proclaimed that after a two-year absence
from the colony he:
scarcely felt warmed up into that fervid state of mind
which no doubt was a characteristic evidence that party-feeling was running
very high[16]
To the
delight of the crowd, Lilley lampooned Douglas ,
thereby extracting political capital from these remarks:
And in drawing-room tones he [Douglas] said, ‘Well, now,
my good fellows, you are very warm; you have been engaged, I am told, in a
fervid struggle; pardon me, my good fellows, I don’t feel quite so warm myself,
you know.’ [Mr. Lilley here put an
eye-glass to his eye, and continued in an assumed voice, which created roars of
laughter.] ‘You can hardly expect that
sort of thing from a gentleman like me.
It is not the thing for a gentleman like me to get too excited, and we
had better take political matters coolly.
If you will honor me with your confidence, I will go into the House and
I will exercise impartial judgement between the contending factions.’[17]
While this
may have been great theatre, the important question behind it was why did Lilley
and the liberal side of politics not support Douglas ? The answer lay with Douglas ’s
insistence on being an independent. It
must be remembered that Lilley, in order to counter Douglas’s propensity for
independence in the assembly, had, when he was the premier, consigned him first
to the upper house and then to England
Lilley
refused to have a maverick such as Douglas
again cause mayhem on the liberal side of politics. A strong supporter of the party system,
Lilley had unsuccessfully attempted to establish a Queensland Liberal
Association as early as 1859.[18] He wanted loyal party men supporting him in
the parliament, and therefore preferred the loyal Hemmant to the
independent-minded Douglas .
Having two
liberals with similar policies contesting the election caused difficulties for Douglas .[19] The crowd assembled at the nomination meeting
knew which liberal they would support, for when Douglas
nominated, it was to loud groans and frequent interruptions.[20] Douglas was left in no doubt of the enormity
of the task facing him, observing that when he had last stood for the seat he
was opposed by the then leader of the opposition, Arthur Macalister, and now he
was opposed by the current leader of the opposition, Charles Lilley. Douglas
publicly mused on why this was so: what had caused such noted liberals to
oppose him so trenchantly?[21]
In every party government there were always a certain
number of open questions upon which every man may fairly hold his own opinions,
and his pledge would only require that he would give a hearty and zealous
support to the policy of the opposition, and in every way forward the interests
of the party.[22]
Until Douglas learnt to acknowledge and accept the limitations
of his independence in relation to party interests, something that the younger
Hemmant had evidently done, he would continue to be rejected by the current
political leadership. Unfortunately, for
Douglas , he did not learn this lesson in time
for this election.
Nevertheless,
the Brisbane Courier came out
strongly in support of Douglas precisely
because he was an independent liberal, noting that while Hemmant’s liberalism
had progressed from “the exponent of principle to the adherent of a party,” it
preferred a “man of experience, tried consistency, and greater political
weight, whose influence rests on his career, and is independent of
recommendation.” [23] Others supported Douglas for the same reason,
with one commentator declaring, “Lilley objects to Douglas ’s
independent attitude in politics just now, but I don’t.”[24] These comments demonstrated the fluid nature
of party politics in the colony. The
early 1870s were a transition period from fluid factions based on expedience
and self-interest to formalised groupings based on political conviction. While Douglas ,
along with many others, resented and resisted this trend, he was increasingly
in the minority.
He had
remained steadfast to his principles despite being “told over and over again
that if he had come forward under the wing of the Liberal Party without
expressing any opinions he would have been returned.” Nevertheless, Douglas
refused to be a ‘party pawn’ and had serious reservations about the party
system. He:
thought that the belief in, and identification with,
clearly defined principles was far better than any party combinations that
could be formed, and therefore he had not seen the necessity of adhering to any
party.[27]
Douglas
resisted embracing the slow but gradual move towards party groupings as an
integral part of Queensland Douglas would have to accept the reality of the changing
political landscape, for the electorate had clearly told him “that what they
wanted was a thorough-going party man.”[28]
[1] Queensland
[2] John Douglas. “To the
Electors of East Moreton .” Brisbane 21 October 1871 , p. 1
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] “Mr. Douglas at the Victoria Hall.”
Brisbane 24
October 1871 , p. 2
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] ibid.
[9] I will further explore Douglas’s longstanding support for
Australian federation in chapter 18 and his part in the successful move to
federate Australia
[10] “Mr. Douglas at the Victoria Hall.”
Brisbane 24
October 1871 , p. 2. While in
England, Douglas refused to encourage or support the importation of Pacific
Islander labour to Queensland: “If … I
had addressed myself to the praises of capital, to be increased and multiplied
by the employment of Polynesian laborers, I should have felt that such
exercises were foreign to my nature, and further, that they were not in unison
with English sentiment, which is quite opposed to the development of any form
of predial service in a vigorous Anglo-Saxon community.” (“Additional Correspondence between the
Government and the Late Agent-General for Emigration, Mr. Douglas .” Queensland Queensland
[11] Brisbane 26
October 1871 , p. 2
[12] Waterson (1972), pp. 82-83; William Hemmant. “To the Electors of East
Moreton .” Brisbane Courier, 25
October 1871 , p. 1; “The East Moreton
Election.” Brisbane 27 October 1871 , pp. 2-3
[13] William Hemmant. “To the
Electors of East Moreton .” Brisbane 25 October 1871 , p. 1. Hemmant assured the electorate that if
elected he would “give hearty, cordial, and loyal support to the
opposition.” (“The East
Moreton Election.” Brisbane 27 October 1871 , p. 2)
[14] “The East Moreton Election.” Brisbane 27 October 1871 , p. 2
[15] Ibid.
[16] “Mr. Douglas at the Victoria Hall.”
Brisbane 24
October 1871 , p. 2
[17] “The East Moreton Election.” Brisbane 27 October 1871 , p. 3
[18] Mason, pp. 131-32
[19] “East Moreton Election.” Brisbane 30 October 1871 , p. 5. The Brisbane
Courier agreed, noting, “we are unable, however, to see any real difference
in the principles professed by the two candidates.” (Brisbane
Courier, 31 October 1871, p. 2)
[20] “East Moreton Election.” Brisbane 30 October 1871 , p. 5
[21] Ibid.
[22] “The East
Moreton Election.” Brisbane 27 October 1871 , p. 2
[23] Brisbane 31
October 1871 , p. 2
[24] A Bohemian. “Odd
Notes.” Brisbane 3 November 1871 , p. 2
[25] “East Moreton Election.” Brisbane 6 November 1871 , p. 2
[26] Ibid.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Ibid.
