Labour Australia

Senator John Grant, deputy-leader of the Labor Party in the Senate, died at his home at Annandale, near Sydney, last Saturday afternoon, after a long illness. He was 71 years of age at the time of his death. He was a sterling Labor stalwart, and one the very few pioneers of the Movement.

Senator Grant was born in Scotland and came to Australia as a young man. His association with the industrial and political Labor Movement extended over a period of nearly 50 years, and at the time of his death was a member of the Annandale Branch of the A.L.P. Long before he entered Parliament he was a well-known figure in Labor circles. For years he acted as Secretary to the A.L.P. in the day's when there was no payment for services rendered, and later became the first General Secretary of the N.S.W. Labor Executive. As a campaigner in Labor  elections he was a tireless worker, and few men have done more organising work for the Party.

He won his first Senate seat at the general elections in 1914, but was defeated at the elections in 1919. He was again returned for New South Wales in 1922; and held office till the time of his death. In 1926 he was appointed deputy-leader of the Party in the Senate. He was a member of the Royal Commission on National Insurance. 

As a Trade Unionist he had a fine record. He was a member of the Stonemasons' Union for just on 50 years, and in that Union he held practically every office from president to secretary. At Labor Council, meetings and at the annual A.L.P. Conferences he was a well-known identity representing his Union.

He leaves a widow and one son. The funeral took place at Waverley Cemetery on Monday and was largely attended.

At a meeting of the N.S.W. Labor Executive last Saturday night members' endorsed a motion of condolence, with the relatives of the late Senator, and extended its sympathy to the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.

Appreciative references to the work of the late Senator were made by members of the Federal Parliamentary Party.