Hugh de Largie (1859 - 1947) Henry Dobson (1841-1918) Senator for Western Australia 1901-1923 Senator for Tasmania 1901-1910 orn at Airdrie, Scotland, Hugh de Largie enry Dobson was born in Hobart, Dobson is remembered in Tasmania for his Bwas a miner who became involved in the HVan Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). He was involvement in making attendance at school Scottish political labour movement before called to the Tasmanian Bar in 1864 and five days a week compulsory and for migrating to Queensland in 1887. He was became one of the colony’s most respected sponsoring the introduction of kindergartens. active in union matters in Queensland and in lawyers. He was the member for Brighton in He was well liked by his peers and community Newcastle, New South Wales. Unable to work the Tasmanian House of Assembly 1891-1900, and worked hard to promote tourism in as a miner because of his political affiliations, serving as Leader of the Opposition 1891-92 Tasmania in the early 1900s. he moved his family to the Western Australian and Premier 1892-94. A strong supporter goldfields in 1895, where he gained of federation, Dobson was a member of the prominence in the Amalgamated Workers Federal Council of Australasia from 1893 Union. and represented Tasmania at the 1897-98 Australasian Federal Convention. At the 1901 federal election, de Largie was one of two Labor candidates elected Dobson was elected as a Freetrader to to represent Western Australia in the Senate. represent Tasmania in the Senate at the He represented his state until 1923 and first federal election in 1901. He was served on a number of royal commissions Temporary Chairman of Committees 1904-08 and parliamentary committees, was Labor and Chairman of Committees 1908-09. Whip in the Senate 1907-14 and Ministerial He was responsible for the introduction of the Whip 1910-13 and 1917-22. In 1916 he left first private member’s bill, the Matrimonial the Labor Party as a result of the conscription Causes Bill, in July 1901. The Bill lapsed at debate and joined W.M. Hughes as a the end of the parliamentary session in 1902 Nationalist. and was not considered further. Dobson was defeated at the election of 1910 and retired from politics. The state of Western Australia was also represented in the first Senate by: The state of Tasmania was also represented in the first Senate by: Miles Staniforth Cater Smith Alexander Perceval Matheson George Foster Pearce John Henry Keating John Singleton Clemons David John O’Keefe Edward Augustine Harney Norman Kirkwood Ewing Cyril St.Clair Cameron James Macfarlane.