Obituaries Australia

Bill Kitson, n.d.

The late Mr. W. H. [William Henry] Kitson, who died in London on Saturday after nearly six years' service as Agent-General for Western Australia, was a keen Labour man throughout his life.

Born at Leeds (Yorkshire) in 1886, he came to Western Australia 24 years later.

To get farming experience he worked on an almost virgin block in the bush areas of Torbay, near Albany.

He soon took an active interest in trade union and political affairs here and in 1926 he was a fellow-delegate with the present Federal Leader of the Opposition (Dr. Evatt) to a World Migration Congress in London as a representative of the Australian Labour Party.

In 1917 he became secretary of the W.A. branch of the Clerks' Union and for some years subsequently he was its federal president.

He was also a former secretary of the Fremantle Trades Hall.

Mr. Kitson was elected one of the members for the West Province in the Legislative Council in May, 1924, and held the seat until his promotion to Agent-General.

During that 22 years he was a member of four Labor Cabinets—two Collier Ministries, the Willcock Ministry and the Wise Ministry.

When prices for primary products were not so good in 1934, Mr. Kitson was still optimistic about the agricultural outlook. The State, he said, could win through only by the maintenance of its primary industries. He proved his faith in the land by himself buying a farm at Perenjori, which he retained until he went to London.

Paying a tribute to the late Mr. Kitson yesterday, the Premier (Mr. McLarty) said that he had left behind him an outstanding record of service to the people of this State. His distinguished parliamentary career extended over 23 years, including 16 years of ministerial rank. He had then worthily represented the interests of the State in London.