Labour Australia

Mr. William Howard Turner, Federal Secretary of the Transport Workers' Union, died suddenly at his home in Keon St., Thornbury, on Sunday. He was aged 66 years.

Mr. Turner played a leading role in the trade union movement for more than 35 years. He had held most executive positions, including assistant-secretary and secretary of the Melbourne Branch, and State and federal secretary of union.

He represented the transport workers on the Trades Hall Council, the Australian Council of Trade Unions and at Australian Labor Party conferences.

Mr. Turner was also a director of the Industrial Printing and Publicity Company Ltd.

A forceful speaker, Mr. Turner was always a power at trade union and A.L.P. conferences.

In the days when political campaigns were fought by street corner meetings he stood for the Federal seat of Henty. He often told the tale of how at one meeting he was 100 per cent with his audience—a lone elector accompanied by two very large Alsatian dogs.

Mr. Turner served two terms as Mayor of Northcote, in 1923 and again in 1945.

As a writer of verse and an excellent raconteur, Mr. Turner was always a popular figure at friendly gatherings.

His funeral was attended by representatives of the political, trade union, industrial and business worlds.

Mr. Turner was buried in the Coburg cemetery and his funeral was a fitting tribute to the work he did for his fellow men.

Among those present at the funeral were:—Hon. John Cain, M.L.A., Leader of the State Labor Party, P. J. Kennelly, M.L.C., general secretary of the A.L.P., Messrs. W. Quirk, M.L.A., D. L. McNamara, M.L.C., chairman of directors of "Labor Call", W. Webber, V. Stout, C. Crofts, directors of "Labor Call," J. Ashton, manager of "Labor Call," A. Murray, 3KZ, M. Jordan. Trades Hall Council, members of the Northcote Council and officials and members of the Transport Union.

The Mayor of Northcote (Cr. L. Hales) delivered the oration at the graveside.

Mr. Turner is survived by his widow and two sons.