Hon. Sir I. w. Downer ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 297 in the Barossa electorate. This constituency Sir John has ably represented to the present time. He was not long in the House before his abilities as a debater and legislator were recognised. When Sir John Bray formed an Administration in June, 1881, he chose .Sir John Downer as his Attorney-General. This portfolio was held till June, 1884, when the Government went out of office. In his capacity of Attorney-General he introduced and carried through the House a measure allowing persons charged with criminal offences to give evidence on their own behalf. He also succeeded in carrying the Married Women's Property Bill, which legislated in the just interests of the class to whom it was extended. The able manner in which he championed these measures found welcome panegyrics in the contemporary press and among his colleagues. After Sir John Bray went to England, .Sir John Downer became leader of the Opposition, and carried a want-of-confidence motion against the Colton Ministry, and assumed office as Premier and Attorney-General in June, 1885. This Mini.stry instituted a strong protective tariff, and decided many other important economic questions. In January, 1887, Sir John Downer attended the Colonial Conference in London, and was entrusted with the important and responsible duty of presenting the case for the a.ssimilation of the law of England with that of the Province in regard to marriage with a deceased wife's sister. On this occasion it was agreed that Sir John Downer's performance reflected immense credit on his political sagacity and engineering skill. In his work at home Sir John displayed unusual statesmanlike resources and wide diplomatic shrewdness. Recognition of his valuable services was secured by the conferment on him of the K.C.M.G. dignity by the Queen. On his return to Adelaide after the achievement of his mission, he found his Ministry had suffered defeat. It was not till October 15, 1892, when he was successful in carrying a motion of want of confidence in the Holder Government, that Sir John assumed office as Premier of the Province. His position at the helm of public affairs did not continue further than June of the following year, when the King.ston party defeated his Government. Sir John's connection with the work of Australian Federation dates from the Sydney Convention of 1883, when he was one of the representatives of South Australia. He may be said to have been one of its greatest promoters. Its multifold clauses and comple.x problems were earnestly studied by him, and the assiduous attention he has paid to the solution of its knotty issues is well shown by the intelligent account he has given of himself at more recent Conventions. In 1891, and again in 1897, he was chosen as delegate of the Province to the Federal Convention, and South Australia added to her political fame by the argumentative and constructive display of Sir John Downer before an assemblage of the most brilliant Australian political intellect.s. He did much to expedite the onerous and tardy work of the Convention by his constant readine.ss to lend positive counsel and advice. Though the interests of the smaller colonies naturally received his prime attention, he never obtruded these to the detriment or detraction of the general cause. It was only when something manifestly unfair and unjust to the welfare of the less populous States cropped up that Sir John's logic effectively asserted itself Not only this Province, but the other smaller States must acknowledge their indebtedness to his wise and careful guardianship of their interests; and all well-wishers of the ultimate accomplishment of the national aim of Federation must recognise the patriotism and able assistance lent
