Obituaries Australia

The death occurred yesterday of Mr William Carey, M.L.C., formerly general secretary of the Australian Labour party (New South Wales branch), at the early age of 44 years.

Mr Carey, who was known in political and industrial circles throughout the Commonwealth for his organising work, had been seriously ill for several months.

Born in Sydney and educated at St. Benedict's School, Abercrombie-street, Mr. Carey was connected with political Labour from youth. While in the service of the Water Board he organised his fellow employees, to the number of 6000, into their present association. As advocate of the association before Industrial tribunals, he won an early prominence. In 1919, on the resignation of Mr. P. C. Evans, he was appointed general secretory of the A.L.P.

Mr Carey gave steady support to successive Labour leaders in Messrs. Storey, Dooley, and Lang, and credit for Labour success at the polls in 1925 was largely due to his organisation of the party in all State electorates. He received some recognition of these services when, in December, 1925, he was included amongst the 25 members appointed to the Legislative Council at Mr. Lang's request.

When, early last year, the A.L.P. split into warring sections. Mr. Carey gave his support to the moderates headed by Mr Conroy. When Mr. Seale's faction gained the upper hand, one of its first actions was to suspend Mr. Carey from membership of the party for three years. He continued to exercise the duties of his position until, in an Equity Court decision on June 28, it was ruled that he was disqualified from holding the secretaryship.

On November 28 last Mr. Carey's political friends presented him with a cheque in recognition of his services to the Labour movement. Alderman English on that occasion said that Mr. Carey had been victimised by those in control of the party, and Mr. Carey, returning thanks, made it clear that he was still a staunch adherent of Labour principles and the Labour platform.

Mrs. Carey and three children—Joyce, Patrick, and Marie—survive Mr. Carey. The Funeral will leave the Joan of Arc Church, Ramsay-rond, Haberfield, at 2 p.m. to-day, for No. 2 cemetery, Rookwood.