and it did not take him long to observe the objectionable features in the somewhat cumbersome and decidedly autocratic government. As the resources of the colony were better known by means of the several exploration parties which went into the interior in advance of settlers, he considered that a bright prosperity must soon dawn. But that era did not begin, perhaps, so early as he and his contemporaries anticipated, and it took many years for the outside world to discover what magnificent advantages for their enterprise were here offered. This was what might be termed the preparative period of Sir James' colonial life, and he was drifting towards politics. Firstly, he knew that agriculture must be encouraged to the utmost, and he founded the first agricultural society established in his portion of the colony. He filled the position of honorary secretary of this body, and instilled into it that spirit which was so necessary to make it of real value to the community. Then 1867 arrived, the year in which the Imperial Government had granted permission to colonists to nominate six members to the Legislative Council. These were in reality semi-elective members. Sir James was asked to stand for the Southern constituency, in which his estate was situated, and he was duly chosen by a large majority. He entered the Legislative halls, and took a very active part in the debates. During the next two years he was to the fore in all movements of a progressive nature which came before the Council. At the end of that period, in 1870, the constitution of the Legislative Council was recast, and provided for the election of two-thirds of the members, one-third to be nominated by the Crown. The Council was dissolved, and Sir James stood, and was elected, for the Wellington district, which embraced a portion of the old Southern district. On the first meeting of the Legislative Council he was unanimously chosen leader of the elected members, which position he held until elected Speaker. He worked ardently for the colony. His views had by this time become firmly established, and his large experience gave him an extended insight into local requirements. He gave much useful advice, and his speeches were listened to with respect. Meanwhile he watched over the interests of his large estate which lie vastly improved. His home, surrounded by his hundred thousand broad acres leased from the Crown, was, though secluded, an attractive one, and he became more and more West Australian at heart. Associations began to cling more closely to his life in Australia. It is so in nearly every case. The young Britishers come to these lands intending to make only a temporary stay, but as they gradually drift into the peculiarities of Australian life and freedom, untrammelled by old world usages, encompasses them, the wish to return again to their native land becomes less and less marked, until at last, probably, it disappears altogether. This was the experience of Sir James although he still cherished sweet memories of his old home in England, and felt that while living in Australia he was as much English as before.
In 1880, when a fresh election took place for Sir James' constituency, after a stout and close contest his opponent, Mr. Venn, was elected by one vote. But the Governor and the Executive Council of the colony did not wish that he should retire into private life, for they esteemed his services as too valuable for that. He was almost immediately awarded a nominee seat in the Legislative Council, and matters went on very much as they did before. In 1885 he had risen so much in public estimation that he was appointed a member of the Executive Council. In 1886 Sir Luke S. Leake, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, died while in England, and Sir James Lee-Steere was chosen to fill that honourable position. Previously in the same year he was delegated by the Governor with the approval of the Secretary of State, representative for Western Australia at the Federal Council of Australasia. He attended the session of the Council in January and February of 1886, and other sessions in 1888 and 1889. In 1888 he had the dignity of Knight Bachelor conferred on him by Her Majesty. Continuing to take a great interest in all political matters, but precluded by his position of Speaker from entering the more active turmoil beneath the chair, the days arrived when agitation for Responsible Government became louder. Sir James' experience made him give his adherence to this further constitutional change, as what follows will show.
Some time previous to being chosen Speaker he was the recognised leader of the elective members, and introduced several measures to the Legislative Council which were quashed by the power of veto, held by the Governor of the day, Sir William Robinson. Thus he introduced into the Council, and succeeded in carrying, the Audit Act, which provided for the annual audit of public accounts by men appointed by Government, and designed to prevent expenditure not authorised by Parliament. Sir William Robinson vetoed the bill, but shortly afterwards received instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to have it reintroduced. This was done in the succeeding session, and the measure became law. Sir James introduced and carried an Abolition of Pensions Bill, which was also vetoed by the Governor, and has never since been reinstated. Taking the eastern colonies as an example, this last is apparently unfortunate. Then Sir James introduced a bill providing for the registration of dogs. He fought energetically for the measure and carried it through the Chamber, with the usual result—it was vetoed. Next came a Fencing Bill, to compel, among other things, adjoining owners of land to each pay half the cost o[ dividing fences. This measure was uniform with Acts in force in other colonies. After Sir James carried it through the Council it was shelved by the Governor's veto. Mr. Throssel introduced a similar measure in the recent (1896) session of Parliament. All these measures would have been of undoubted value to West Australia, yet Sir William Robinson was so autocratic that he prevented them becoming law. It is no wonder then that Sir James Lee-Steere became an advocate for Responsible Government.
In March, 1889, Sir James was again elected Speaker of the Legislative Council, and continued to hold the position until the final dissolution of that body, prior to the inauguration of the new Constitution. When he resigned his position as a member of the Executive Council, in common with Sir John Forrest and Sir Malcolm Fraser, he received permission from the Queen to retain the prefix Honourable to his name, and with them, also, was allowed to retain the uniform attached to his office. This permission gives these gentlemen precedence in all State functions next to the Executive of the day. Another high position which Sir James Lee-Steere most worthily held for some time was what is termed the Dormant Commission, by which, in the absence of the Governor or Acting Governor, he would have administered the government of the colony.
In 1890 the first elections under Responsible Government took place, and Sir James Lee-Steere offered himself to the suffrages of the Nelson electors. He was elected without opposition; and at the second elections, in 1894, he was again returned unopposed. When the new House of Assembly held their first meeting Sir James received the great compliment of being unanimously appointed to the position of first Speaker. This important and dignified office he holds to this day—a conspicuous recognition of his public services and the respect in which he is held by the whole colony. As Speaker it can confidently be asserted that no more dignified and satisfactory gentleman could have been found. He presides over the deliberations
