National Citizens' Reform League
National Citizens' Reform League | |
|---|---|
| Historic leaders | Anti-socialism Conservatism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
The National Citizens' Reform League was formed in Melbourne in April 1902.
Its leader, William Irvine, soon replaced Premier Peacock in June and went on to win the 1902 Victorian state election in October.
Within six months of its founding, the League had over 15,000 members.[4]
The League's cause was greatly progressed by the passing of the Constitution Act 1903[5] (also known as the "Constitution Reform Act"). Its changes included reducing the number of seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 95 to 67, and those in the Legislative Council from 48 to 35.
Irvine retired from the role of Premier in February 1904, being replaced by the similarly minded Thomas Bent. He contested the 1904 Victorian state election in June and was successful.
In July 1904, the Catholic newspaper The Advocate reported that "The National Citizens' Reform League had its birth in Kyabram. It exercised a great influence in its brief day, but to-day it is, for most practical purposes, as dead as Julius Caesar."[6] Branches of the group held fundraising events in July[7] and August[8] that year.
In May 1907,
References
- ^ Stone, Sharman. "ParlInfo - Main Committee : STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS : Kyabram Movement". parlinfo.aph.gov.au.
- ^ Halse, Dustin (2015). From Servants to Citizens: A History of Victorian Public Service Unionism 1885-1946 (PDF). p. 47.
- ^ Stone, Sharman. "ParlInfo - Main Committee : STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS : Kyabram Movement". parlinfo.aph.gov.au.
- ^ Stone, Sharman. "ParlInfo - Main Committee : STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS : Kyabram Movement". parlinfo.aph.gov.au.
- ^ "The Constitution Act 1903". AustLII.
- ^ "A Union of Farmers". The Advocate. 9 July 1904.
- ^ "NATURAL CITIZENS' REFORM LEAGUE". The Record. 16 July 1904.
- ^ "NATIONAL CITIZENS' REFORM LEAGUE". The Reporter. 12 August 1904.
- ^ "CURRENT NOTES". Punch. 1 August 1907.