Obituaries Australia

John McInnes, 1900

State Library of South Australia, b20486856

Mr. John McInnes, a former Speaker of the Assembly, and a member of the State Parliament for 31 years until his retirement early this year, died at his home in Robert street, Croydon, on Saturday at the age of 72.

Members of the Ministry and of the State Parliament will attend a State funeral, which will leave his home at 3 p.m. today for Hindmarsh Cemetery, the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir Mellis Napier) will be represented.

Mr. McInnes, who was born in Scotland, came to SA as a child, and was prominent in ALP affairs from the beginning of the century.

In 1905 he helped to form the SA Government Workers' Association, and served as secretary until 1911. He was elected president of the Trades and Labor Council in 1908, and was general secretary of the Liquor Trades Employes' Federation from 1914 to 1924.

He was a member of the Croydon and Hindmarsh ALP committee for over 45 years, and a delegate to the ALP Council for over 40 years.

He was elected to the Assembly as Labor member for West Torrens in 1918, and later represented Hindmarsh. He became Speaker in 1924, and resigned in 1927 to accept the portfolios of Minister of Industry and Commissioner of Public Works.

As Mayor of Hindmarsh from 1933 to 1939, he played a prominent part in introducing dipththeria immunisation in the town, which was the first to do so.

He was a keen supporter of the West Torrens Football Club, and was its president for many years.

He has left a widow and two daughters, Miss L. McInnes and Mrs. R. Beaumont.