Mr. W. J. [William James] Riordan, one of the founders of the Amalgamated Workers' Association, later to become a 'giant' of the Australian Workers' Union, a high official in the Australian Labor Party, and in 1933 a member of the Queensland Industrial Court, died at his home, Kelvin Grove; aged 78. After a Requiem Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral on Saturday, burial took place at the Lutwyche Cemetery.
The late Mr. Riordan was a contemporary in the A.W.U. and A.L.P. with such outstanding men as Grayndler, Barnes, Theodore, Scullin, Fisher, Ryan, and McCormack at a time when present high A.W.U. officials were just beginning to emerge from the ranks.
When making his farewell to the A.W.U. at the Twentieth Annual Delegate Meeting in 1933 the late Mr. Riordan said:
'After nearly 20 years' service as a paid official of the A.W.U. first as an organiser, next as President, and now for 71 years as secretary and several previous in an honorary capacity, I find myself leaving behind what I consider the best part of a life's work.
'What an interesting and pleasing part it has been. At times very hard and the going tough, but I found that the hardest day brought the greatest compensations.
'There are no milestones marked when the way is easy and the cheers of the crowd are with one.
'I think the official who is most successful and of most value to the members is the one who is prepared to take the hoots and groans when he knows he is doing the right thing by the workers.
'The members will realise the worth of this class of official and will stick to him longer and more loyally than to the kind who is more concerned about winning popularity than in giving service.'
'In severing my connection with the movement, I break from many branches and departments form it and find it is not easy to say good-bye to my old workmates and pals on the Executive and to the officials and office staffs throughout the States.'
In his early years the late 'Big Jim' was a spare boy to his father, who was a teamster on the outback roads. There is no better way of learning to know the heart of Australia, and young Riordan, a North Queenslander by birth (Mareeba), learned the hard way.
"Big Jim" was one of the key men in the formation of the Amalgamated Workers' Association at Chillagoe in 1908. The late E. G. Theodore, who had formed the A.W.A. at Irvinebank, went across to Chillagoe, and the committee, which comprised the A.W.A. at the latter centre included Bill McCormack (later Premier of Queensland). Jack Kennedy, Con. Ryan (later member of Parliament), George Cunningham, Joe Cleary, George Singer, — . Jones, Bill Roberts, Charlie Larkin, Jim Lough (later A.W.U. organiser, Southern district) Ben Bow, Dave McGrath, and "Big Jim".
Riordan travelled the tracks of Queensland for the A.W.U., and held that and when the A.W.U. was in its infancy — after the amalgamation, worked the State, the sternest and most vicious opposition to the Union's advancement coming from the notorious I.W.W.
Following the amalgamation of the A.W.A. with the A.W.U., the late Mr. Riordon became Queensland President of the A.W.U., and held that post until Mr. W. J. Dunstan, the first Queensland Secretary of the A.W.U., was appointed to the Industrial Court Bench, which had been instituted by the Ryan Labor Government.
Mr. Riordan, who had also been a Labor candidate for the Senate, was appointed Queensland Branch Secretary of the A.W.U. as Mr. Dunstan's successor, and held that post until he, too, was appointed to the Industrial Court Bench in December, 1933, his position as branch secretary being filled by the late C. G. Fallon.
The late Mr. Riordan was a former chairman of directors of 'The Worker' and the ill-fated 'Daily Standard.' He had taken a prime role in the establishment of 'The World,' Labor's daily paper, which commenced in Sydney, and ended its career after about 12 months of existence. Both the 'Daily Standard' and 'The World' would have been powerful weapons for Labor were they operating to-day.
The late Mr. Riordan was the last of three industrially and politically minded Riordan brothers who became very well known in Queensland union and political affairs. His brother, Darby, was State Labor member for Burke from 1918 to 1929 and Federal member for Kennedy until his death in 1936. The third brother, Dick, former State Mines Minister, died on December 9 last.
Another brother, Tom, of Mackay, survives, and the political link with Labor is being carried on by 'Big Jim' Riordan's son, Mr. W. J. F. (Bill) Riordan, Federal member for Kennedy, who was Minister for the Navy in the last Federal Labor Government.
During his long association with the union and the State Labor Party he was Queensland Central Executive president.
He was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council 'Suicide Squad,' which voted that chamber out of existence.
He retired from the Industrial Court in 1953, and one of his last important State assignments was that of chairman of the Royal Commission which inquired into S.P. betting.
Branch Secretary Harold Boland, who is at home recovering from a serious heart illness, was an old, personal friend of the late Mr. W. J. Riordan.
'We sat on our first A.W.U. Convention in 1921,' Mr. Boland told 'The Worker.'
'He did great things for the Union in the days when the struggle was particularly hard, and his record stands high in this regard.'
Former A.W.U. Organiser Mr. Jim Lough called into 'The Worker' to express his regret at the passing of Mr. Riordan. The late Mr. Riordan and Mr. Lough were the last of the 1908 Amalgamated Workers' Association members, and Mr. Lough was one of those who helped vote Mr. Riordan into the presidency of the A.W.U. away back in 1916.
Mr. J. Bukowski, Branch President of the A.W.U., said that the late Mr. Riordan had pioneered some of the most important industrial legislation, and this would always stand to his credit.
Over the years the name of Riordan had been well known in the A.W.U. and Labor Movement, and it would be associated with some of the most outstanding gains made by both.
Mr. Bukowski expressed sympathy with those who grieve the loss of such a Labor stalwart.
Mr. Riordan leaves a widow, two daughters. Mrs. C. E. Bennett, of Junee, and Miss Nancy Riordan, of Brisbane, and one son, Mr. W. J. F. Riordan, M.P.
'Riordan, William James (Jim) (1882–1955)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/riordan-william-james-jim-34752/text43734, accessed 12 November 2024.
20 April,
1882
Mackay,
Queensland,
Australia
15 September,
1955
(aged 73)
Brisbane,
Queensland,
Australia
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