Robert Caldwell (Australian politician)

Robert Caldwell, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Pastoral Lands Commission in South Australia 1894, State Library of South Australia PRG-280-1-5-334
Robert Caldwell, M. P. Chairman of the Pastoral Lands Commission, State Library of South Australia B-44349. Original held at Parliamentary Library

Robert Caldwell (c. 1843 – 2 November 1909) was a South Australian politician. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1879 to 1902, representing the electorates of Yorke Peninsula (1879-1890) and Onkaparinga (1890-1902).

Early life

Caldwell was born in Ayrshire, Scotland and immigrated to South Australia with his family in 1849 when he was just six years old. The family were amongst the earliest settlers at Alma Plains. Caldwell also held residences at Mount Templeton, the Yorke Peninsula and Woodside.[1]

Caldwell was a farmer, and author before entering politics. He also wrote for The Register newspaper and was Clerk of the Onkaparinga District Court.[2]

Caldwell was a Methodist and a member of the Temperance Alliance throughout his life.

Politics

Caldwell was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the member for Yorke Peninsula in 1879, transferring to Onkaparinga in 1890. He served until 1902.[3]

He contested the single statewide seven-member Division of South Australia at the 1901 federal election as a Protectionist Party candidate but finished ninth.

Whilst in parliament Caldwell was briefly secretary to the Opposition, and was instrumental in securing the appointment of several Commissions to enquire into issues related to the agricultural industry.[1]

Caldwell's conservative political views grew stronger to the extent he lost touch with the majority of the people and resulted in his unsuccessful attempt to secure a seat in the Federal Senate.[1]

Women's Suffrage

Caldwell was an active member of the Women's Suffrage League and consistently presented and supported Bills to extend the franchise to women. On one point his conservative views caused him to disagree with the League as Caldwell believed only women of property should be allowed to vote, rather than all women which was the League's position. Caldwell kept the issue at the forefront of debate in Parliament through separate franchise bills in 1888, 1889 and 1890. Reporting on parliamentary debates and subsequent discussions in the wider society thus provided opportunities for the Women's Suffrage League to strengthen their campaigning.[4]

Mary Lee, a founding member and Honorary Secretary of the Women's Suffrage League, described Caldwell as a courageous champion of the League for his persistence in keeping the issue before Parliament.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Death of Mr Robert Caldwell, A Useful Citizen". The Advertiser. 3 November 1909. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Former Member of Parliament Details - Mr Robert Caldwell". Parliament of South Australia. South Australian Government. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Mr Robert Caldwell". Parliament of South Australia. 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Jones, Helen (1986). In her own name. Kent Town: Wakefield Press.
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