Obituaries Australia

James Fowler, by Swiss Studios, 1900s

National Library of Australia, 23371048

Third former member of the Federal Parliament to die within a week, Mr. James Mackinnon Fowler, who represented Perth from 1901 to 1922, died at his home in Malvern rd., Tooronga, yesterday. He was 78, and had been ill for about two years. The deaths occurred last week of ex-Senator Keating and Mr. Frank Anstey.

Mr. Fowler became a member of the first Commonwealth Parliament in 1901, and held his seat at seven succeeding general elections. He was defeated in 1922, retired from politics, and began to write a comprehensive study of British origins.

He was born in Strathaden (Scotland), and served in the Black Watch. He came to Australia in the early 'nineties, and after having been a prospector on the West Australian goldfields turned his attention to politics. He entered the House as a Labour member, but changed in 1906 to a Liberal.

He was a member of the Select Committee on Decimal Coinage (1901), the Select Committee on Electoral Act Administration (1904), and the Royal Commission on the Tariff (1904-7). He was temporary Chairman of Committees from 1900 to 1912, and Chairman of Committees from 1913 to 1914. He was a member of the Joint Committee on Public Accounts from 1914 to 1917, and chairman from 1920 to 1922.

He is survived by a widow, three sons, Messrs. D. S. Fowler and R. H. Fowler; and Corporal S. A. Fowler, A.I.F.; and one daughter, Miss D. S. Fowler.

The funeral will leave his home at 3.30 p.m. to-day for Springvale. Arrangements are being mode by John Allison, Caulfield.