Walter Marks (politician)
Walter Marks | |
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Member of the Australian Parliament for Wentworth | |
In office 13 December 1919 – 19 December 1931 | |
Preceded by | Willie Kelly |
Succeeded by | Eric Harrison |
Personal details | |
Born |
Jamberoo, New South Wales | 6 June 1875
Died |
31 March 1951 75) Paddington, New South Wales | (aged
Political party |
Nationalist (to 1929) Independent (1929) Australian (1929–30) Independent (1930–31) UAP (from 1931) |
Spouse(s) | Florence Sandford |
Occupation | Solicitor |
Walter Moffitt Marks (6 June 1875 – 31 March 1951) was an Australian lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1919 to 1931, representing the Division of Wentworth in New South Wales.
Early life
Marks was born in Culwulla House, Jamberoo, New South Wales and educated at Sydney Grammar School. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1902. In September 1901 he married Florence Sandford. As a result of an inheritance in 1912, he was able to partly finance the building of his chambers, the twelve-storey Culwulla Chambers in Castlereagh Street, Sydney, the tallest building in central Sydney until after World War II. He won most major Australian yachting trophies in Culwulla I-IV, and participated in the trials of Sir Thomas Lipton's America's Cup challenger, Shamrock IV in 1914. In World War I he joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and served as a lieutenant in the North Sea and English Channel, commanded a gunnery school in Wales and returned to Australia in 1918 to encourage military recruitment.[1]
Politics
Marks was elected as a Nationalist member for the seat of Wentworth in 1919. He made a notorious speech predicting that Armageddon would be initiated in 1934 when the British navy collected the Jewish people to take them to a Palestine. Billy Hughes made him honorary under-secretary "to assist the prime minister especially in the administration of the mandated territories and shipping" in December 1921, in order to head off pressure to appoint him Minister for the Navy, but Stanley Bruce abolished this position when he became prime minister in 1923. Marks took a strong interest in foreign affairs, aviation and the film industry. He was one of seven Nationalists – including Hughes – who voted to bring down the Bruce Government, forcing the 1929 election. Although he lost Nationalist Party endorsement, he was re-elected as an independent. Shortly after the election, he joined Hughes' new Australian Party. However, his time there was short-lived, as he resigned in September 1930 over policy differences and returned to sit as an independent. Marks joined the new United Australia Party on its formation in May 1931, but was defeated at the 1931 election by another UAP candidate, Eric Harrison.[1]
Later life
Marks returned to his law practice after losing his seat. In 1937, he became the inaugural chairman of the Papuan Apinaipi Petroleum Company. He was commodore of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for seven years. Marks died at the age of 75, following surgery in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. He was survived by a son and a daughter.[1]
Notes
- 1 2 3 Lloyd, C. J. (1986). "Marks, Walter Moffitt (1875 - 1951)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
Parliament of Australia | ||
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Preceded by Willie Kelly |
Member for Wentworth 1919–1931 |
Succeeded by Eric Harrison |