Labour Australia

Qld shearers strike leaders, 1893 [Griffin is seated second from left in second row from top]

State Library of Qld, 64845

W. G. Reynolds, A.W.U. rep., Coolgarra, N.Q. writes under date of October 30: The many friends in Central and Northern Queensland of Patrick Francis Griffin will regret to hear of his death, which sad event took place in Cairns hospital on October 29. Paddy Griffin was a white man in every sense of the word and a unionist of sterling qualities, and the movement to-day is poorer by his demise. Away back in '91 Paddy Griffin was leader of a strike camp and, like others, suffered for his views and did a three years' stretch behind the bars. He came north years afterwards and followed mining, meeting with indifferent success. His health failing he took charge of the bookstall at the Cairns Railway Station, but after some time had to give this up. His life has been spent for the betterment of others, and should be taken as an example by all who have the true cause of Labor at heart. The writer of this and his wife were friends of many years' standing, and were able to see our friend lay to rest in the Cairns Cemetery

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The passing away of Paddy Griffin at Cairns on October 29 (writes Labor member John Payne) adds another to the list of the old pioneers of the Labor Movement in Queensland who have crossed the Great Divide. Paddy Griffin was one of a number of fearless, unselfish men who laid the foundation of the Labor Movement, industrially and politically, in this State, and few of the present generation know the difficulties and obstacles that surrounded such an undertaking in the early eighties. The power of squatter Government, the bitter Tory press, paid spies, and traitors to the Labor cause, together with the great power of money, strewed the road to Labor reform with almost insurmountable difficulties; but Paddy Griffin and his mates, by their unflinching determination, by their true mateship, and above all, by the great unselfishness displayed to one another, succeeded, and the present-day workers of Queensland are receiving the benefits. Paddy Griffin died as he lived. He never expected any reward for the self-sacrifice he made for the cause of Labor. He earned his own living to within a short time of death, and he never even asked a Labor government to find him a job.  An honest straightforward goer, he served three years in jail for no other reason than acting the part of a man in the bush strike of 1891. May he rest in peace.