William Webster (Australian politician)

Postmaster-General of Australia
Postmaster-General of Australia
	In office; 27 October 1915 – 3 February 1920
Prime Minister	Billy Hughes
Preceded by	William Spence
Succeeded by	George Wise
Member of the Australian Parliament; for Gwydir
	In office; 16 December 1903 – 13 December 1919
Preceded by	George Cruickshank
Succeeded by	Lou Cunningham
Personal details
Born	7 June 1860; Nationalist (from 1917)
Spouse	Jane Buckney (m. 1883)
Occupation	Unionist

William Webster (7 June 1860 – 3 October 1936) was an Australian politician. He began his career in the

Nationalist until his defeat in 1919

.

Early life

Born in Everton, Lancashire, England, he was the son of John Webster, a labourer, and Elizabeth, née Poynton. Leaving school at 13, Webster migrated to New South Wales in 1879 and, having quarried stone at Pyrmont and saved prodigiously, was able to bring the rest of his family to Sydney. By the next year he was financial secretary of the Trades and Labor Council. He married Jane Buckney on 7 June 1883 at Marrickville, and the firm he founded, Webster Bros, was one of the first in New South Wales to observe the standard wage and eight-hour day.^[1]

Politics

Webster was a member of

Federation, he contested the seat of Gwydir in 1901 in an attempt to enter the Australian House of Representatives, but was unsuccessful. However, from 1901 to 1903 he was the first Labor member for Moree in the Legislative Assembly, and as a result of his success was elected to the seat of Gwydir in 1903.^[6] He was known for always answering letters and requests from his constituents personally.^[1]

His role in the royal commission on postal services was significant, and was in part responsible for the downfall of the

Nationalist Party of Australia. He retained his place in the government until the 1919 election, at which he was defeated.^[1]

Later life

Webster retired to

Parramatta on 8 October 1936 and was survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.^[1]

References

^
ISSN 1833-7538
. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

^ Green, Antony. "1891 Canterbury". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
^ Green, Antony. "1894 Petersham". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
^ Green, Antony. "1895 Wickham". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
^ Green, Antony. "1898 Marrickville". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
^ "Mr William Webster (1860–1936)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Thomas Hassall	Member for Moree 1901–1903	Succeeded by Percy Stirton
Political offices
Preceded by William Spence	Postmaster-General 1915–1920	Succeeded by George Wise
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by George Cruickshank	Member for Gwydir 1903–1919	Succeeded by Lou Cunningham

[ADB-1] 
ISSN 1833-7538
. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

[Green_1891_Canterbury-2] Green, Antony. "1891 Canterbury". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

[Green_1894_Petersham-3] Green, Antony. "1894 Petersham". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

[Green_1895_Wickham-4] Green, Antony. "1895 Wickham". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

[Green_1898_Marrickville-5] Green, Antony. "1898 Marrickville". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

[William_Webster_NSW_parl-6] "Mr William Webster (1860–1936)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2020.

[1]

[6]

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF
National	United States
People	Australia
Other	SNAC