Obituaries Australia

The death occurred in Adelaide on Saturday of Mr. William Alfred Robinson, at the age of 75 years. Mr. Robinson, who was one of the earliest workers in the cause of trade unionism in Australia, was born in London. He emigrated to Victoria when he was 11 years of age, and was apprenticed to the coachbuilding trade when he was 16. He followed that occupation in Victoria and South Australia for many years. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1893, but was defeated in 1899. He was appointed on the commission for the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition and the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition. His interest in trade unionism led to his appointment as a delegate to the Trades Union Congress in Tasmania in 1886 and 1889. Mr. Robinson also held the position of President of the Trades and Labour Council for five years. He was secretary of the Locomotive, Firemen, and Enginemen's Association for 22 years, and the growth in membership of the organization during his regime was largely attributable to his energy. During his days of activity in the union movement he also assisted in the building up of the Railway Hospital fund.