Telegram and letter addressed to the Hon. Ernest Farrar, MLC, 20 March 1917 and 12th May 1917.

MLMSS 8347

fonds

20 March 1917 and 12th May 1917

966935

0.01 metres of textual material (one folder) - Manuscript and typescript

Ernest Henry Farrar (1879-1952), trade unionist and politician, was born on 3 February 1879 in Yorkshire, England. Brought to Australia as an infant, he was educated at Granville and Petersham Superior Public schools, Sydney, and attended Methodist Sunday schools. He became a shearer and later a saddler and wool-presser, working in New Zealand and Tasmania for a time; at 17 he joined the Australian Workers' Union.
In 1902 Farrar helped to found the Saddle and Harness Makers' Union, becoming its State secretary, and was foundation president of the Australian Saddlery Trades Employees' Federation in 1907-12. A member of the executive of the Political Labor League of New South Wales from 1908, he was vice-president in 1909-10, 1911-12 and 1915-16, and president in 1912-14. He was also president of the Labor Council of New South Wales in 1910. In 1912 he was nominated to the Legislative Council.
He campaigned vigorously for conscription and at State and Federal levels, Farrar helped to draft the constitutions of the new National Party; he was a State vice-president in 1917-32. Farrar died in hospital at Manly on 16 June 1952.

Reference: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/farrar-ernest-henry-6142 (accessed 21 March 2012)

Includes (1) Typescript letter, dated 12th May 1917, Bendigo, from W.G. McRobert and E.G. Ham, committee members of William Hughes' election campaign and (2) handwritten telegram in pencil, noted as 'Urgent' and 'Confidential'. The telegram asks Ernest Farrar to consider nomination for Senate if offered. The telegram is signed "Hughes", however the handwriting is not consistent with known handwriting examples of William Hughes.

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