Labour Australia

Mr. Alexander Hugh Panton, C.M.G., M.L.A. for Leederville and a former Speaker and Minister of the Crown, collapsed on Monday afternoon and died in a private hospital at 1 am. yesterday.

He was aged 74 and lived at North Perth. He left a widow, two sons and a daughter.

A service will be held at the Crematorium, Karrakatta Cemetery, at 10 a.m. tomorrrow.

The Premier (Mr. McLarty) said that with deep regret he had heard of Mr. Panton's death.

"The late Mr. Panton," he said, "was widely known and respected. He had a long and distinguished parliamentary career, first as Speaker and then as Minister of the Crown.

"He was also a sound leader in the trade union movement, and he gave valued service to the Returned Servicemen's League.

"His passing will be regretted by all his parliamentary colleagues, with whom he was a popular figure."

"I would like to express the regret of the Labour movement at the passing of Mr. Panton," said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. A. R. G. Hawke).

"Mr. Panton had always been a stalwart of the movement, and during his lifetime he played a valuable part in building up the industrial and political sections.

"As a Member of Parliament and a Minister of the Crown his anxiety had always been to advance the welfare of the State's people, especially the workers.

"His activities in the Labour movement and in the public life of W.A. will serve as a great example to younger men within the State to seek to play a part in public affairs in the future.

"On behalf of the Labour Party as a whole I would like to express publicly sympathy with the widow and family of the late Mr. Panton."

Mr. Panton was born at Alma, Victoria, on March 20, 1877. He came to Western Australia in 1899.

At various times he held the positions of general president and secretary of the State executive of the A.L.P. and president and secretary of the metropolitan council of the A.L.P.

He entered Parliament in 1919 as a member for the West Province in the Legislative Council.

He was defeated in 1922, and joined the Legislative Assembly in 1924 as member for Menzies.

He was elected Speaker in July, 1933, and resigned in March, 1938, when he was appointed Minister for Health in the Willcock Government. Later that year he also became Minister for Mines.

Mr. Panton served as a soldier in the South African War and World War I.