ASSEMBLY-Death of T. W. Dalton Tuesday, 18 August, 1981 Death Of
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
184 ASSEMBLY-Death of T. W. Dalton Tuesday, 18 August, 1981 Death of Thomas William Dalton, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly- Petitions-Questions without Notice-Sessional Committees (House, Library, Printing)-Governor's Speech: Address in Reply (Third Day's Debate)- Adjournment (Port Botany Hazard Survey). Mr Speaker (The Hon. Lawrence Borthwick Kclly) tool< the chair at 2.15 p.m. Mr Spealrer offered the Prayer. DEATH OF THOMAS WILLIAM DALTON, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Mr WRAN (Bass Hill), Premier and Treasurer [2.16!: I move: That this House extcnds to the Iamily of Thomas William Dalton, a former Member of this House, the deep sympathy of Members of the Legislative Assembly in the loss sustained by his death. Thomas Dalton served this House and the people of his electorate faithfully from 14th February, 1953, to 6th February, 1956, and from 21st March, 1959, to 23rd January, 1968. His maiden speech to this House on 19th August, 1953, set the tone for his parliamentary career. Above all, he was concerned with the problems of his electorate, centred on the then rapidly growing Sutherland district. In that speech he spolte on housing, transport and the industrial development of the Botany Bay region. It is ironical that one of the principal concerns that he expressed in his maiden speech was for home buyers following the increases in housing interest rates by the federal Government of the day. In recent years we have become accustomed to hearing of the need to tackle urban problems and to plan for future urban develop- ments. It is a measure of Thomas Dalton's insight into the future needs of his consti- tuents that in his maiden speech he called for the development of the Menai district, the construction of roads to serve that area, and the upgrading of train services in the Sutherland areas. The electrification of the line to Waterfall was a particular project he wanted to see proceed. These and other causes he championed throughout his parliamentary career. Today, some of the visions of Thomas Dalton are becoming realities. There can bc no bctter tribute to his years of dedicated service. Mr McDONALD (Kirribilli), Leader of the Opposition E2.181: I second the motion and echo the condolences expressed by the Premier and Treasurer. It is always sad in this Chamber when we pay respect to members who have passed away. On behalf of the Opposition, I extend to the family of Thomas Dalton sympathy in their tragic loss. Though he left this place well before my time, the reports I have Death of T. W. Dalton-18 August, 1981 185 heard in the last few hours are of a quiet, unassuming and thoroughly delightful gentle- man. Only a few years ago he lost his wife. Both of them were highly respected in the Sutherland community as a devoted couple. Thomas Dalton was a typical product of the old-style Labor Party background, a person who could be described as the salt of the earth in the development of this State in the twentieth century. He was a railway worker, a shed hand, and a shearer, but his main employment was with the Department of Railways as a timberman, powderman and ganger. He soon developed an interest in union politics. Between 1935 and 1945 he became organizer for the city construction and permanent way section of the Australian Workers Union, subsequently becoming vice-president of the New South Wales branch in 1939. His parliamentary record spanned two periods as the member for Sutherland, between 1953 and 1956, when he was defeated, and again between 1959, when he staged a comback, and 1968. Unfortunately, in 196s he lost his seat to the former member for Miranda, Mr Tim Walker. The Opposition joins with his many friends in the Australian Labor Party in supporting this motion of condolence on the passing of Thomas Dalton. Mr PUNCH (Gloucester), Leader of the Country Party [2.21]: On behalf of my colleagues of the Country Party I extend to the family and friends of Tom Dnlton our sincere sympathy for their loss. Some of my colleagues and I spent a number of years in the House with Tom Dalton. I speak for us all when I say that he was a quiet and eflicient man, respected by honourable members on both sides of the House for the manner in which he performed his duties. As the Leader of the Opposition said, he was one of the old-style members. The manner in which he carried out his parliamentary duties was beyond reproach. After his retirement he was often in the gallery of the Chamber. All honourable members were pleased to see him and to extend courtesy to him when he visited the House. On behalf of my colleagues, I join with the Premier and Treasurer and the Leader of the Opposition in again extending sympathy to his family. Mr KEANE (Woronora) [2.22]: I extend condolence to the relatives of Mr Thomas William Dalton. Tom Dalton was a personal friend of mine. I learned my election tactics and political knowledge from observing him during his successful career. Many times I manned the polling booths for Tom. Later Tom reciprocated by manning the booths for me. I am sad to hear of his passing. Tom was one of the old school; a great stalwart and a tremendous trade unionist. He was respected highly throughout the community for the fact that he always had time to listen to the problems of his constituents. He was elected to represent the Sutherland electorate on 14th February, 1953, and served until 6th February, 1956, when he lost the seat to our former colleague, Ian Griffith. He was again the member for Sutherland from 21st March, 1959, to 23rd January, 1968. As honourable members know, he was a railway worker. He was educated in country schools. It was evident that Tom had been a shearer because sometimes when he was upset this fact would be revealed by his language. In 1922 he joined the construction section of the railways, where he worked as a timberman, a powder monkey and a ganger. He was proud of the fact that he was an organizer for the city construction and permanent way section of the Australian Workers Union from 1935 to 1945. He was vice-president of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Workers Union. From 1945 to 1953 he was a ganger. It is of interest to note that 186 ASSEMBLY-Death of T. W. Dalton during the period he was a member of this House his electorate covered the following districts: Caringbah, Caringbah North, Cronulla, Kurnell, Lilli Pilli, South Cronulla, Taren Point, Woolooware, Gymea, Gymea Bay, Icirrawee, Menai, Miranda, Sutherland, Sutherland North, and Woronora River. Some of those districts are part of the Woronora electoral district. I express my condolence to the family of Mr Dalton. He will be sadly missed. Mr JACKSON (Heathcote), Minister for Youth and Community Services t2.251: I join with other honourable members in extending condolence to the family of the late Tom Dalton. It was my great privilege to know Tom Dalton for many years prior to his election to Parliament in 1953, when he defeated the great Joe Munro to win the former seat of Sutherland. I well recall Tom's defeat at the 1956 elections, following which he had the experience of many defeated members of Parliament, whether they have served in this House for a short time or a long time: he did not have a job. Tom saw me on the Monday following his defeat to inform me that he was looking for employment. Prior to his election to Parliament he had been a railway ganger. He went heavily into debt in an attempt to retain his seat. Following two weeks of representations on his behalf, he was offered his job back on the railways as a ganger, provided he passed the medical test. I was astonished at the idea of his having to pass that test to qualify for re-employment. His defeat was psychologically devastating for him. He was a defeated member of Parliament whom few people wanted to know. In 1959 he accepted the challenge to return to Parliament and as a result of his mature years and experience in the trade union movement, the Labor Party and with hard knocks he was returned as member for Sutherland. He had renewed vigour. He proved to be a most successful and dedicated man who served his constituency and the Parliament in a manner that commanded great respect and admiration for his party, the Parliament and himself. I extend to his family my sincere sympathy in their sad loss. Mr ROBB (Miranda) [2.27]: On behalf of my Labor Party colleagues in the Miranda electorate and the people of that district I express sincere condolence for the loss of Tom Dalton. Tom Dalton was a dedicated member of Parliament and friend of the people of Miranda. He made a great contribution to the history and to the well- being of the people of the Sutherland shire. He was responsible for the start of the Sutherland Hospital, the commencement of the Captain Cook bridge and the building of the Gymea technical college. Tom was a good family man who was widely respected. His loss will be felt by the people of the Sutherland shire. Mr EGAN (Cronulla) [2.28]: I first met Tom Dalton some seventeen years ago, shortly after I joined the Australian Labor Party. I had the good fortune to work on his last two election campaigns.