Obituaries Australia

Mr. H. H. [Hugh Henry] ("Hughie") Sutherland, former Coast branch President and Newcastle organiser, of the Federated Enginedrivers and Firemen's Association died in Royal Newcastle Hospital last night, aged 70.

Mr. Sutherland was a popular and colourful figure in the trade-union movement for nearly half a century.

A native of Cobar, he began work in the Cobar mines. Later he worked on the Southern Coalfields and at Newcastle B.H.P. Steelworks.

He was elected organiser of the F.E.D.F.A. in 1918. After serious disputes on the Coalfields in 1922 he was appointed President of the Coast branch of the association. For a long time he worked as President and organiser.

He was President of the Newcastle Eight-Hour Day Committee and a delegate to the committee for 15 years. He held other elective positions and actively supported the Newcastle Trades Hall Council, on which he was a delegate for many years. He was always a supporter of the official Labour Party. In a party crisis, he contested the Newcastle seat unsuccessfully, although he polled well.

Mr. Sutherland was an able industrial advocate in both Federal and State jurisdictions. After his retirement as an officer of the union he continued to represent the union in industrial courts in NSW and other States.

In his youth Mr. Sutherland was a well known amateur boxer. He fought in tournaments in Sydney.

He built his last home, at Toukley, partly from timber from the Newcastle and Hunter River Steamship Company's ship Gwydir, wrecked near Noraville.

He leaves a wife and four married sons, After a service at Moore's funeral parlours at 9.45 aim to-morrow, the funeral will leave for Beresfeld Crematorium.

Sydney Tribute
SYDNEY, Thursday.—.
The Labour Council adjourned its meeting to-night as a mark of respect to Mr. Sutherland

The Secretary (Mr. R. A. King) said that much of the freedom enjoyed by engine-drivers and coalfields workers was due to the forethought of Mr. Sutherland. He had played a valiant part in the trade-union movement.