Page:Advanced Australia.djvu/47

The Right Honourable C. C. Kingston is the Premier of the Colony, and has occupied that position for nearly five years. He is a barrister by profession, and has long been a leading man in South Australian politics. He is a man of powerful physique, and is considered a forcible debater. His style is very incisive, and at times his attacks upon his opponents are so severe that he has become involved in many bitter personal quarrels. He is a Radical of a somewhat extreme type in politics, and has hitherto managed to keep the support of that section in Parliament which directly represents the labour interests. I also met Mr F. W. Holder, the treasurer, who is a gentleman of striking personality. He possesses very wide information, and very considerable powers of expression. An ardent and powerful supporter of federation, he has a great belief in the future of Australia, and has the power of kindling in others his own enthusiasm. Mr Symon, Q.C., who is not a member of Parliament, but was elected a member of the recent Federal Convention, is one of the leading figures in the intellectual life of the Colony. He is a man who would make a mark anywhere in his profession; and, though unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, he stepped at once into a leading position in the deliberations of the Convention. His Excellency, Lord Tennyson, the son of the poet, is Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony, having lately succeeded Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. I may mention that the appointment of Governor carries also that of Commander-in-Chief of the forces. But the position is practically a nominal one. The Governor does not directly interfere in the management of the forces. In this matter, as in all others relating to the internal affairs of the Colony, he acts solely upon the advice of his Ministers for the time