Newton Moore
Encyclopedia
Major-General Sir Newton James Moore KCMG
(17 May 1870 – 28 October 1936), was the eighth Premier
of Western Australia
and a member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1918 to 1932.
Newton Moore was born in Fremantle
, Western Australia
, son of James Moore, auctioneer and later mayor of Bunbury
, and Elizabeth Dawson, schoolteacher. He was educated at Arthur Street Primary School in Bunbury
before attending Prince Alfred College
in Adelaide, South Australia. In 1886 he was apprenticed as a surveyor to Alexander Forrest
. After qualifying in 1894, he worked as a contract surveyor in and around the Bunbury area. In April 1898 he married Isabella Lowrie, sister of William Lowrie
.
In 1899 Moore was elected to the Bunbury Municipal Council, and was Mayor of Bunbury from 1900 to 1904. In 1903 he was also a member of the Royal Commission
on Forestry
, and during 1904 and 1905 he was President of the Municipal Association of Western Australia.
Moore was also involved in the Western Australian militia, commencing a long career as a private with the BRV (Bunbury Rifle Volunteers) in 1894. By 1900 he had risen to Captain and was instrumental in assisting in the formation of the BVR Mounted Infantry Section which was later incorporated into the WAMI (Western Australian Mounted Infantry). After the Commonwealth reorganisation of 1903, the unit was renamed the 18th (WAMI) Australian Light Horse. Moore served as acting Commander until 1908 when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and officially appointed the Commanding Officer. In August 1908, Moore was appointed Commanding Officer of the 5th Military District Intelligence Section where he remained until March 1914.
In 1901, Moore contested the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
seat of Bunbury
, but was unsuccessful. In 1904 he contested the seat again and won. In August 1905, he was appointed Minister for Lands and Agriculture in Cornthwaite Rason
's government. On Rason's resignation on 7 May 1906, he became Premier of Western Australia
. Just 36 years old, he was at the time the youngest ever Premier. He remains the most inexperienced politician ever to hold the office, having served in Parliament for less than two years at the time of his appointment.
Moore's emphasis as Premier was on agricultural development. He personally retained the Lands and Agriculture portfolio, and pursued a policy of cheap land for settlers. His government laid the foundations of the Wheatbelt, and brought the state into line with the rest of Australia through an Income and Land tax, despite opposition from the conservative Legislative Council
.
In September 1907, after a dispute with the Legislative Council, Moore resigned as Premier. However, Governor Bedford
would not accept his resignation, nor would he consent to an early dissolution, so Moore resumed office. In 1908, Moore led the Liberal Party to another election victory. As the state had previously seen nine Premiers in a little over five years, this was a welcome respite from a period of great instability. Moore was Minister for Justice from 14 May 1909 until 30 June 1909, when he relinquished both the Agriculture and Lands portfolio and the Justice portfolio, and took up the office of Colonial Treasurer. On 16 September 1910, Moore resigned as Premier and Colonial Treasurer on the grounds of ill health.
Moore was made CMG
in June 1908, and KCMG
in June 1910. In February 1911, he resigned his Bunbury seat to take up the office of Agent-General for Western Australia in London
. In 1915, while still Agent-General, the Australian government
appointed him General Officer Commanding Australian Imperial Forces in the United Kingdom. He held that position until 1917, during which time he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
In 1918, Moore resigned as Agent-General after being invited by the Conservative Party to stand for the British House of Commons seat of St George's, Hanover Square
, which had been made vacant by the death of former Prime Minister of Australia
George Reid
. He was elected to the seat on 4 October 1918. In the 1918 general election
on 14 December he instead stood for and won the seat of Islington North
. After a break from politics in 1923 and 1924, he won the seat of Richmond upon Thames in the general election of 29 October 1924, and held it until his resignation on 13 April 1932. For ten years, he was Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Commons. He established himself as an excellent representative of Australia, and his opinion on Empire matters was highly valued by British ministers.
After retiring from politics, Moore became President of the British Empire Steel Corporation, a company with interests in Western Australia and Canada
. He was also a director of several important companies. He died on 28 October 1936 at a nursing home in London, following surgery.
Newton Moore Senior High School
in Bunbury is named after him.
The following are the highlights Newton James Moore's military service from 1894 - 1917:
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(17 May 1870 – 28 October 1936), was the eighth Premier
Premier of Western Australia
The Premier of Western Australia is the head of the executive government in the Australian State of Western Australia. The Premier has similar functions in Western Australia to those performed by the Prime Minister of Australia at the national level, subject to the different Constitutions...
of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and a member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1918 to 1932.
Newton Moore was born in Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, son of James Moore, auctioneer and later mayor of Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
, and Elizabeth Dawson, schoolteacher. He was educated at Arthur Street Primary School in Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
before attending Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College is an independent, day and boarding school for boys, located on Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town, near the centre of Adelaide, South Australia...
in Adelaide, South Australia. In 1886 he was apprenticed as a surveyor to Alexander Forrest
Alexander Forrest
Alexander Forrest CMG, was an explorer and surveyor of Western Australia, as well as a politician.-Early life:Forrest was born at Picton, near Bunbury in Western Australia, the son of William and Margaret Forrest...
. After qualifying in 1894, he worked as a contract surveyor in and around the Bunbury area. In April 1898 he married Isabella Lowrie, sister of William Lowrie
William Lowrie
William Lowrie was an Australian agricultural educationist.Lowrie was the son of John Lowrie, a shepherd, and his wife Christina, née Anderson. Lowrie was born near Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland...
.
In 1899 Moore was elected to the Bunbury Municipal Council, and was Mayor of Bunbury from 1900 to 1904. In 1903 he was also a member of the Royal Commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
on Forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
, and during 1904 and 1905 he was President of the Municipal Association of Western Australia.
Moore was also involved in the Western Australian militia, commencing a long career as a private with the BRV (Bunbury Rifle Volunteers) in 1894. By 1900 he had risen to Captain and was instrumental in assisting in the formation of the BVR Mounted Infantry Section which was later incorporated into the WAMI (Western Australian Mounted Infantry). After the Commonwealth reorganisation of 1903, the unit was renamed the 18th (WAMI) Australian Light Horse. Moore served as acting Commander until 1908 when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and officially appointed the Commanding Officer. In August 1908, Moore was appointed Commanding Officer of the 5th Military District Intelligence Section where he remained until March 1914.
In 1901, Moore contested the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Western Australian Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Perth....
seat of Bunbury
Electoral district of Bunbury
The Electoral district of Bunbury is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia.The district, taking in the city of Bunbury has existed continuously since 1890, being one of the original 30 seats contested at the 1890 state election...
, but was unsuccessful. In 1904 he contested the seat again and won. In August 1905, he was appointed Minister for Lands and Agriculture in Cornthwaite Rason
Cornthwaite Rason
Sir Cornthwaite Hector William James Rason , better known as Hector Rason, was the seventh Premier of Western Australia....
's government. On Rason's resignation on 7 May 1906, he became Premier of Western Australia
Premier of Western Australia
The Premier of Western Australia is the head of the executive government in the Australian State of Western Australia. The Premier has similar functions in Western Australia to those performed by the Prime Minister of Australia at the national level, subject to the different Constitutions...
. Just 36 years old, he was at the time the youngest ever Premier. He remains the most inexperienced politician ever to hold the office, having served in Parliament for less than two years at the time of his appointment.
Moore's emphasis as Premier was on agricultural development. He personally retained the Lands and Agriculture portfolio, and pursued a policy of cheap land for settlers. His government laid the foundations of the Wheatbelt, and brought the state into line with the rest of Australia through an Income and Land tax, despite opposition from the conservative Legislative Council
Western Australian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the Legislative Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state...
.
In September 1907, after a dispute with the Legislative Council, Moore resigned as Premier. However, Governor Bedford
Frederick Bedford
Admiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford GCB, GCVO was Governor of Western Austria from 24 March 1903 to 22 April 1909.-Naval career:Bedford joined the Royal Navy at the age of 14, and later served in the Crimean War....
would not accept his resignation, nor would he consent to an early dissolution, so Moore resumed office. In 1908, Moore led the Liberal Party to another election victory. As the state had previously seen nine Premiers in a little over five years, this was a welcome respite from a period of great instability. Moore was Minister for Justice from 14 May 1909 until 30 June 1909, when he relinquished both the Agriculture and Lands portfolio and the Justice portfolio, and took up the office of Colonial Treasurer. On 16 September 1910, Moore resigned as Premier and Colonial Treasurer on the grounds of ill health.
Moore was made CMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in June 1908, and KCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in June 1910. In February 1911, he resigned his Bunbury seat to take up the office of Agent-General for Western Australia in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In 1915, while still Agent-General, the Australian government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
appointed him General Officer Commanding Australian Imperial Forces in the United Kingdom. He held that position until 1917, during which time he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
In 1918, Moore resigned as Agent-General after being invited by the Conservative Party to stand for the British House of Commons seat of St George's, Hanover Square
Westminster St George's (UK Parliament constituency)
Westminster St George's, originally named St George's, Hanover Square, was a parliamentary constituency in Central London. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system of election.-History:The...
, which had been made vacant by the death of former Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
George Reid
George Reid (Australian politician)
Sir George Houstoun Reid, GCB, GCMG, KC was an Australian politician, Premier of New South Wales and the fourth Prime Minister of Australia....
. He was elected to the seat on 4 October 1918. In the 1918 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1918
The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did...
on 14 December he instead stood for and won the seat of Islington North
Islington North (UK Parliament constituency)
Islington North is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election...
. After a break from politics in 1923 and 1924, he won the seat of Richmond upon Thames in the general election of 29 October 1924, and held it until his resignation on 13 April 1932. For ten years, he was Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Commons. He established himself as an excellent representative of Australia, and his opinion on Empire matters was highly valued by British ministers.
After retiring from politics, Moore became President of the British Empire Steel Corporation, a company with interests in Western Australia and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was also a director of several important companies. He died on 28 October 1936 at a nursing home in London, following surgery.
Newton Moore Senior High School
Newton Moore Senior High School
Newton Moore Senior High School is a comprehensive public high school located in Bunbury, a regional centre south of Perth, Western Australia....
in Bunbury is named after him.
Military career
- 30 March 1894 to 7 March 1895 - Bunbury Rifle Volunteers, enlisted man.
- 8 May 1895 - Second Lieutenant (Provisional), Bunbury Rifle Volunteers.
- 19 November 1896 - Confirmed in rank of Second Lieutenant from 8 May 1895.
- 8 April 1897 - Lieutenant, Bunbury Rifle Volunteers.
- 1 April 1900 - Captain, Officer Commanding Mounted Half Company, Bunbury Rifle Volunteers.
- 1 July 1903 - Captain, 18th (WAMI) Australian Light Horse.
- 10 August 1904 - Major, 18th (WAMI) Australian Light Horse.
- 13 March 1908 - Lieutenant Colonel, appointed Commanding Officer of the 18th (WAMI) Australian Light Horse.
- 28 August 1908 - Lieutenant Colonel, appointed Commanding Officer of the Intelligence Corps, 5th Military District.
- 1 March 1914 - Unattached List
- 25 May 1915 - Appointed as Colonel in AIF.
- 2 December 1915 to 21 July 1917, appointed Brigadier General, then Major General as General Officer Commanding AIF Depots, UK.
- 1918 - Awarded Volunteer Decoration.