Obituaries Australia

At the age of 83 the death occurred yesterday at his home in Wellington st, Kew, of Mr James Menzies, father of Mr R. G. Menzies, Federal Opposition leader and former Prime Minister.

One of a family of nine, the late Mr Menzies was born at Ballarat in 1862. In his early career Mr Menzies was a coachpainter, and was head painter for the Phoenix foundry at Ballarat. In 1894 he became general storekeeper at Jeparit. For many Mr. James Menzies years he was a councillor of Dimboola Shire.

From 1911 to 1920 he represented Lowan in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, and in 1917 he was appointed to the Council of Agricultural Education, serving continuously until it was dissolved in 1945, and having been chairman from 1932 to 1934.

Until recently Mr Menzies was statistical officer and tariff adviser of the BHP Ltd, having joined that company in 1926. At the time of his death he was an executive member of the Australian Industries' Protection League.

A keen charitable worker, his main interest was in the Menzies' Home for Boys, Frankston, of which he was president for more than 20 years. His golden wedding was celebrated on December 25, 1939.

Mr Menzies leaves a widow and family of five–a daughter, Mrs I. A. Green, secretary of the Exhibition trustees, and four sons. Mr R. G. Menzies. Mr J. L. Menzies (who until recently had been for some years Assistant Trade Commissioner for Australia in New Zealand), Mr Frank Menzies (Victorian Crown Solicitor), and Mr S. K. Menzies (controller of production orders and statistics in the Munitions Department).

The funeral will leave the Presbyterian Church, Cothani rd, Kew, for Box Hill Cemetery today after at service beginning at 2pm.