William Forgan Smith
He took an early interest in politics, joined the Scottish Labour Party, probably influenced by his observations of the poor conditions in the Clydeside shipyards and other working-class areas in Glasgow.He was sponsored by a cousin in Mackay, where he settled, worked as a painter and decorator, and married a local farmer's daughter, Euphemia (Effie) Margaret Wilson (15 January 1913-12 October 1958).[3] Forgan Smith read heavily on Parliamentary procedure; his knowledge meant he was made a temporary Chairman of Committees in 1917, a position which became permanent in 1920.He concentrated his criticism of the government of A. E. Moore on its decision to closely follow the Premiers' Plan, which Forgan Smith believed to be only making the depression worse.Caucus elected a cabinet of generally moderate members – the radicalism of the Ryan Government had largely gone from the Queensland ALP by this time.He embarked on a number of ambitious schemes, including the Story Bridge, an upgrade of Mackay Harbour, the Somerset Dam (which was not completed until after the end of his premiership) and a new building for the University of Queensland at St. Lucia that now bears his name.[citation needed] Under Forgan Smith's rule, the weekly payments received by relief workers were raised to the level of the basic wage (a measure financed by a graduated income tax), while a major public works programme was initiated which boosted job opportunities and provided the state which major constructions of lasting worth.In 1938, the Premier could say without fear of being contradicted that Queensland enjoyed ‘the highest wage system, the best conditions of labour and the lowest unemployment’ in the country.[3] He used his strong and forceful personality to dominate the cabinet and parliament, and his government passed a number of controversial pieces of legislation.For instance, he added clauses to the 1936 Racing Bill which made it harder for reporters to find out and divulge information about proposed legislation, which drew heavy criticism from the press.The first Queensland premier to make wide use of radio, Forgan Smith was an effective speaker, and he made a good impression on many of those who listened to him.While in Sydney on Sugar Board business, Forgan Smith died suddenly on 25 September 1953 from a heart condition caused by his cancer.[3] Forgan Smith was accorded a State funeral,[1] the procession moving from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church to his burial place at Toowong Cemetery.
surnameThe HonourablePremier of QueenslandGeorge VEdward VIIIGeorge VILeslie WilsonArthur Edward MooreFrank Arthur CooperTreasurer of QueenslandWalter BarnesLeader of the Opposition of QueenslandQueensland Legislative AssemblyMackayWalter PagetFred GrahamJohn Douglas StoryJames BlairOtto HirschfeldInvergowrieKinross-shireScotlandSydneyNew South WalesToowong CemeteryBritishAustralianPainter and decoratorTrade union officialQueenslandpopulismLabor PartyPerthshireAirlie CastleDunoon Grammar SchoolGlasgowScottish Labour PartyClydesidetrade unionismT. J. RyanHughesconscriptionMinister without portfolioGilliesGreat DepressionA. E. MoorePremiers' PlanForgan Smith ministryNew DealFranklin D. RooseveltJohn Maynard KeynesStory BridgeSomerset DamUniversity of QueenslandCoolangattaGold CoastRoss McMullinOfficial Secrets ActJohn CurtinTed TheodoreEdward MaherFrank NicklinsocialistcommunismPeter BeattieYerongaBrisbanecricketlarynxState funeralSt Andrew's Presbyterian ChurchThe Courier-MailAustralian Dictionary of BiographyGovernment of QueenslandDaily MercuryUniversity of Queensland LibraryThe Courier MailA.E. MooreFrank CooperWilliam McCormackLeader of the Labor Party in QueenslandParliament of QueenslandPremiers of QueenslandHerbertMacalisterMackenzieLilleyPalmerDouglasMcIlwraithGriffithMoreheadNelsonByrnesDicksonDawsonMorganKidstonDenhamTheodoreMcCormackF. CooperHanlonNicklinPizzeyBjelke-PetersenR. CooperBorbidgeBeattieNewmanPalaszczukCrisafulliTreasurers of QueenslandMoffattMcLeanStephensFitzgeraldRamsayHemmantArcherGarrickPattisonDonaldsonHawthornBarnesFihelly