Labour Australia

Mr. J. B. [James Ballantine] Mercer, who resided at West Street, Hurstville, for some time, died at Lakemba on Wednesday, aged 83 years. The deceased was at one time member for Rozelle in the Legislative Assembly, and was also a prominent religious and temperance worker. A native of Glasgow, Mr. Mercer came to Australia with his family in 1883. He first settled at Mackay, Queensland, but, two years later, removed to Sydney, where he made his permanent home. He entered the Legislative Assembly in September, 1907, as the Labour representative of the Rozelle electorate, and retained his seat during the Wade, McGowan, and Holman Administrations. For three years Mr. Mercer served as president of the Burns Club, of which he was afterwards elected a life member. He was a lecturer of the Good Templars. At one time he acted as a licensed lay reader of St. Paul's Church of England, Sydney.