William Hague (Australian politician)

William "Will" Hague (8 March 1864 – 9 October 1924) was a South Australian businessman and member of the South Australian Legislative Assembly.

History

Hague was born in Angaston, South Australia, a son of James Hague, MLA for Barossa 1890–1902, and educated at a private school in Angaston run by James Leonard. He worked in Adelaide for a time as merchant and Customs agent before returning to Angaston to become a junior partner in the firm of J. & E. Hague. Later he founded the firm of W. Hague & Co., in which he retained the controlling interest until its sale in 1918.

A firm believer in the personal interest of parents in the educational of their children, he took an active part in the work of the Angaston School Board of Advice. He was an active member of the Angaston Agricultural Society, and served as secretary, during which time its annual Show became prominent in South Australia. He served as chairman of the Angaston District Council and trustee of the institute. He was for many years a valued correspondent of "The Advertiser" at Angaston. He was chairman of the Angaston Railway Opening Committee, believing that railways were essential in the development of the district. He was also president of the Angaston Literary Society.

In 1912 Hague was elected to the House of Assembly, where he represented the Barossa district for the Liberal Party, and held that seat ever since. In 1913 he became a member of the Railways Standing Committee, and held that post under successive Governments. When his close friend the Hon. George Ritchie resigned the post of chairman of the Parliamentary Liberal Party to assume Ministerial office, Hague was elected in his stead, to the benefit to his party. He smoothed many a political disturbance over with a few well-considered words. He resigned this position, with that of chairman of the Railways Standing Committee, when he was appointed Commissioner of Public Works in 1920. In a rearrangement of portfolios some time later Mr. Hague became Treasurer of South Australia, in succession to George Ritchie, and Minister of Railways, and he did much to secure the stability of the finances of the State during an extremely difficult period.^[1]

In politics he was characterized as having an "extreme conscientiousness, allied to a sweet disposition", had a "commonsense, methodical turn of mind" and a "high sense of honor" and was held in high regard by political friends and opponents alike.^[2] He was not afraid to criticize fellow party members A. H. Peake and Sir Richard Butler. He opposed discriminatory measures against settlers of German origin during World War I, and was a supporter of Indigenous Australians.^[1]

He died at his residence, "Kirami", Avenue Street, Millswood, South Australia.

Family

He married Elizabeth Maud Weller on 3 December 1885; they had three daughters Ellman "Queenie" (Mrs George H. Gallacher, died 9 September 1923), Tessa Hague, Vera E. "Ray" Hague (Mrs. Howard Micklem) and a son, Reece Hope Hague (ca. November 1892 – ), who after working as a journalist and serving with the 51st Battalion in France during World War I, emigrated to Canada.

References

1. P. A. Howell, 'Hague, William (1864–1924)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 22 June 2014
2. "A Prominent Legislator". The Chronicle. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 11 October 1924. p. 43. Retrieved 22 June 2014.