Obituaries Australia

The death of Mr. Rex Charles Sainsbury, in the Newcastle Hospital, after a brief illness, aroused general expressions of regret among the trade-unionists in the district yesterday, He was 42 years of age, and is survived by his widow and a family of 10 children, the youngest being an infant.

Mr. Sainsbury returned from Sydney at the end of the week, and was then suffering from a cold. He entered the hospital on Monday night, and gradually sank.

Coming to Newcastle 10 years ago, Mr. Sainsbury represented the Australian Workers Union as its organiser and Secretary in the Northern district. Leaving this organisation 12 months later, he joined the United Labourers' Protective Society of which he became Organiser in the following year. He had represented that union since in his capacity as Organiser. He was a prominent figure in the political Labour movement, and had been the delegate of his union on the Trades Hall Council for practically the whole term of his association with the movement in Newcastle. The office of President he filled for several terms, and he was also Vice-president during the current year.-

The Secretary of the Trades Hall Council (Mr Bass), speaking on behalf of the executive, said the untimely death of Mr Sainsbury had robbed the Labour movement in the North of one of its most capable and courageous members. Known far and wide in the Newcastle district, Mr Sainsbury was one of the most energetic and conscientious reprentatives of Labour that the Newcastle district had known. An outstanding personality, he was well known for his rugged oratory and aggressive advocacy of the working class. He always wore a smile, even in the face of the greatest adversity, and had a cheery word at all times for friends and foe.

An active member of the Labour movement during practically the whole of his life, he was prominently associated with the anti conscription campaign in Lithgow 20 years ago, and played an active part in the trades union movement of Lithgow during the time he spent there. During his career in Newcastle he had taken a prominent part in both the industrial and political movements, and had occupied the most prominent positions from time to time, in both spheres. At the time of his death he was Secretary of the United Labourors' Union, and senior Vice-President of the Trades Hall Council and a member of the Management Committee of the Trades Hall.

But it was as an official of the Trades Hall Council that he was best known. His passing had left a vacancy in the labour movement of the North which it will be extremely difficult to fill. His services would be missed by the innumerable members of the movement to whom his services were always available.

"Speaking personally, we all feel that we have lost one of our most capable officers and a loyal friend and comrade whose many sterling qualities had endeared him to us even as the members of one's own family, and we find it extremely difficult, even now, to realise our loss," the statement added.

The President of the Newcastle State Electorate Council (Mr A. McLagan) said he had been shocked to hear of the death of Mr. Sainsbury. Everyone recognised his enthusiasm in connection with the Labour and industrial movement. He would be sadly missed from the counsels of the party.

The organiser of the Federated Engine drivers and Firemen's Asssociation (Mr. H. Sutherland) and the Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union (Mr L. Wells), with others who had been associated with Mr. Sainsbury, endorsed the expression of regret issued by the Labour Council. 

"The passing of 'Bob' Sainsbury removes one of the most energetic of Lalabour's stalwarts," said Mr J. E. Smith, ex MLA, yesterday. "Once having accepted a task, he put his whole heart into it. For instance, when he was campaign director for me nothing was a trouble to him. He never failed me. He was one of the mnost anxious parents for the welfare of his family that I have ever met."

Regret at the death of Mr Sainsbury was expressed at last nights meeting of Hamilton Council. It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to relatives.

The funeral is announced to take place this afternoon.