Labour Australia

George Burns, by Swiss Studios, c1913

National Library of Australia, nla.pic-an23236672

Mr. George Mason Burns, a former member of the House of Representatives, died at his residence, 135 Holt-avenue, Cremorne, on Monday. Mr. Burns gave many years service to the Labour movement. He commenced his Parliamentary career in Tasmania, in 1903. At the State general elections in that year he was elected to the House of Assembly as member for Queenstown, and held that seat until November, 1906, when he resigned. He was elected to the House of Representatives at the general elections in 1913, as member for Illawarra, and was re-elected in the following year, but was defeated at the general elections in 1917. During the coal strike of 1916 he came into prominence by reason of his advocacy, in a speech in the House of Representatives, of the Governments operating the mines as a national undertaking. Mr. Burns was the Labour candidate for St. George at the New South Wales elections in 1925, but was unsuccessful. The funeral will take place this afternoon. Following a service at the residence, at 1.30 o'clock, the cortege will proceed to the Crematorium, Rookwood.