Scullin, James Henry

Scullin, James Henry (1876-1953) the Australian statesman, he was a goldminer, shopkeeper and organizer for the Australian Worker’s Union before becoming a labor Member of the House of Representatives.

Born near Ballarat, the son of a railway worker, Scullin left school to work in a grocery store and attended night classes, where he won prizes as a debater and public speaker/ Scullin joined the labor Party in 1903 and was elected to the House of Representatives as the member for Corangamite in 1910.

Scullin became accustomed to addressing large audiences, in one instances speaking to a crowd of about 3,000. His oratorical style was compared favorably to Alfred Deakin.

He lost his seat in 1913 but was elected as the member for the Yarra in 1921, becoming leader of the party 1928.

He was elected prime minister in 1929 at the height of the Depression. The Great Depression had a disastrous effect on the Australian economy. Declining demand and falling world process dramatically reduced the earnings of staple experts.

Beset by difficulties of the Depression, ministerial inexperience, and an opposition-controlled senate, he lost the 1931 election but retained the labor leadership until 1935, when he resigned because of illness.

An effective parliamentary speaker who was greatly respected for his integrity and sincerity, Scullin was a close advisor to his successor, Curtis, during World War 2.

Scullin had a mild stroke in 1947 and retired at the 1949 election. He died on 28 January 1953.

He is an example of the generation of working class men for whom oratory and corrects speech was an important part of life.
Scullin, James Henry