Obituaries Australia

James Thomas Walker, by Swiss Studios, 190?

National Library of Australia, nla.pic-an23567464

By the death of Mr. James Thomas Walker, which occurred at his residence, Edgecliff-road, Sydney, on the 18th ult., there has been removed a very notable figure from the financial, political, and commercial world of Australia.

Born 81 years ago in Scotland, he arrived in New South Wales as an infant. He returned to the Old Country to be educated at King's College, London, and at Edinburgh. After leaving college he joined the staff of the London office of the Bank of New South Wales, and continued his connection with that bank upon his return to Australia. Later on he was appointed first general manager of the Royal Bank of Queensland. He eventually became president of the Bank of New South Wales, an appointment he held for about three years. He was a director of the A.M.P. Society, and had seats upon other important directorates.

As a politician he was identified with the Federal Parliament. He was a member of the National Convention which framed the Commonwealth Constitution, and was returned at the head of the Senate poll in New South Wales at the first Federal elections. Essentially a Liberal in politics, he was broad in his outlook, and possessing the advantage of an early financial and commercial training, he was able to bring to bear upon the many public problems with which he had to deal a sound judgment.

A man of high principles and ideals, he did his utmost to improve the political and social conditions of his day.

He is survived by his widow, three sons—Mr. A. F. Walker, Mr. E. P. Walker, and Mr. G. Walker—and two daughters—Miss E. P. Walker and Mrs. Verney, wife of Lieut.-Colonel Ralph Verney, private secretary to the House of Commons.