Albert Percy Blesing
Encyclopedia
Albert Percy Blesing was a farmer and politician from South Australia
who served as Minister for Agriculture (1933–1944), for Local Government (1933–1938) and for Afforestation (1938–1944). He was a founding member of the Country Party Association (see National Party of Australia
) and served in the governments of Richard Layton Butler
and Thomas Playford IV
.
Percy Blesing was born in Hamilton, South Australia
to Ernst Gotthilf Blesing and his wife Elizabeth (née Flower). Percy's grandparents had emigrated from Germany in 1841 and his family settled in the northern farming areas of South Australia. In 1893, Percy's family moved to Glenholme, a 1400ha mixed farm at Bangor in the lower Flinders Ranges
. After several years working as a farmhand and shearer around Australia and in New Zealand, Percy married Eliza Muriel Annie Glasson and took over Glenholme. Percy and Annie had five children, Ida, Gwen, Ned, Lloyd and Jabez. Jabez died of whooping cough at a young age.
government in 1931 and, with fellow South Australian Archie Cameron
, negotiated the formation of the Liberal and Country League
in South Australia. As part of the final agreement in the formation of the LCL, "A.P. Blesing received a guaranteed Ministerial post". Richard Layton Butler
lead the LCL to power in 1933 and Percy was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Local Government.
As a farmer, Percy was an effective local representative and a strong advocate for rural issues. He served on the board of the South Australian Voluntary Wheat Pools Ltd and on the advisory committee to the State Bank of South Australia. Despite his achievements in overseeing rural rehabilitation, expansions in agricultural education and industry, road improvements and pine plantations, Percy came into conflict with other members of his coalition. Percy was a jovial, good-natured man who enjoyed a day at the races more than reading his departmental briefs. He had little time for political conniving and his enthusiasms lead him to be nicknamed the "Minister for Billiards". Not all of his colleagues disapproved, however, at least in private. Richard Layton Butler
resigned as Premier in 1938 over a dispute over betting shop legislation and leadership was taken over by Thomas Playford IV
. Tom Playford was a regular visitor to the Blesing household where he was able to indulge in activities frowned upon by his family and colleagues.
By 1944, however, Playford abandoned his former friend. When Percy refused to resign his portfolio, Playford submitted the resignation of the entire cabinet and appointed a new one, without Percy. Percy was devastated by Playford's political betrayal but, despite voting against him occasionally, never betrayed Playford's personal trust.
Percy died following a gall bladder operation in 1949 and was buried at Wirrabara after a state funeral. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
who served as Minister for Agriculture (1933–1944), for Local Government (1933–1938) and for Afforestation (1938–1944). He was a founding member of the Country Party Association (see National Party of Australia
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
) and served in the governments of Richard Layton Butler
Richard Layton Butler
Sir Richard Layton Butler KCMG was the 31st Premier of South Australia, serving two disjunct terms in office: from 1927 to 1930, and again from 1933 to 1938....
and Thomas Playford IV
Thomas Playford IV
Sir Thomas Playford, GCMG was a South Australian politician. He served continuously as Premier of South Australia from 5 November 1938 to 10 March 1965, the longest term of any elected government leader in the history of Australia. His tenure as premier was marked by a period of population and...
.
Percy Blesing was born in Hamilton, South Australia
Hamilton, South Australia
Hamilton is a small township in the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. It is about 120 km northeast of Adelaide, South Australia, about 20 km north of Kapunda....
to Ernst Gotthilf Blesing and his wife Elizabeth (née Flower). Percy's grandparents had emigrated from Germany in 1841 and his family settled in the northern farming areas of South Australia. In 1893, Percy's family moved to Glenholme, a 1400ha mixed farm at Bangor in the lower Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts approximately north west of Adelaide. The discontinuous ranges stretch for over from Port Pirie to Lake Callabonna...
. After several years working as a farmhand and shearer around Australia and in New Zealand, Percy married Eliza Muriel Annie Glasson and took over Glenholme. Percy and Annie had five children, Ida, Gwen, Ned, Lloyd and Jabez. Jabez died of whooping cough at a young age.
Political career
Percy soon became involved in politics, being a founding member of the Country Party Association and being elected as the representative for Northern in the Legislative Assembly in 1924. The family moved to Prospect in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Percy was involved in the defeat of the James ScullinJames Scullin
James Henry Scullin , Australian Labor politician and the ninth Prime Minister of Australia. Two days after he was sworn in as Prime Minister, the Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred, marking the beginning of the Great Depression and subsequent Great Depression in Australia.-Early life:Scullin was...
government in 1931 and, with fellow South Australian Archie Cameron
Archie Cameron
Archie Galbraith Cameron , was an Australian politician. He was Leader of the Country Party 1939-40, and Speaker of the House of Representatives 1950-56.-Biography:...
, negotiated the formation of the Liberal and Country League
Liberal and Country League
The Liberal and Country League was a major political party in South Australia throughout its forty year existence. Thirty-four years were spent in government, in part due to the electoral malapportionment known as the Playmander, introduced after coming to power.Created on 9 June 1932 as the...
in South Australia. As part of the final agreement in the formation of the LCL, "A.P. Blesing received a guaranteed Ministerial post". Richard Layton Butler
Richard Layton Butler
Sir Richard Layton Butler KCMG was the 31st Premier of South Australia, serving two disjunct terms in office: from 1927 to 1930, and again from 1933 to 1938....
lead the LCL to power in 1933 and Percy was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Local Government.
As a farmer, Percy was an effective local representative and a strong advocate for rural issues. He served on the board of the South Australian Voluntary Wheat Pools Ltd and on the advisory committee to the State Bank of South Australia. Despite his achievements in overseeing rural rehabilitation, expansions in agricultural education and industry, road improvements and pine plantations, Percy came into conflict with other members of his coalition. Percy was a jovial, good-natured man who enjoyed a day at the races more than reading his departmental briefs. He had little time for political conniving and his enthusiasms lead him to be nicknamed the "Minister for Billiards". Not all of his colleagues disapproved, however, at least in private. Richard Layton Butler
Richard Layton Butler
Sir Richard Layton Butler KCMG was the 31st Premier of South Australia, serving two disjunct terms in office: from 1927 to 1930, and again from 1933 to 1938....
resigned as Premier in 1938 over a dispute over betting shop legislation and leadership was taken over by Thomas Playford IV
Thomas Playford IV
Sir Thomas Playford, GCMG was a South Australian politician. He served continuously as Premier of South Australia from 5 November 1938 to 10 March 1965, the longest term of any elected government leader in the history of Australia. His tenure as premier was marked by a period of population and...
. Tom Playford was a regular visitor to the Blesing household where he was able to indulge in activities frowned upon by his family and colleagues.
By 1944, however, Playford abandoned his former friend. When Percy refused to resign his portfolio, Playford submitted the resignation of the entire cabinet and appointed a new one, without Percy. Percy was devastated by Playford's political betrayal but, despite voting against him occasionally, never betrayed Playford's personal trust.
Percy died following a gall bladder operation in 1949 and was buried at Wirrabara after a state funeral. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.