Jabez Edward Dodd (1865 - 1928)

Born 14 Jun 1865 in Callington, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Florence Wilson Johnston — married 7 May 1891 in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 2 Jan 1928 at age 62 in Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bob Dodd [send private message]

Biography

West Australian Tuesday 3 January 1928. Death notice. DODD. On January 2nd. 1928 at the residence of Mrs. J. Noble 85 Bagot Road Subiaco the Honorable Jabez Edward Dodd, beloved husband of Florence Wilson Dodd, and fond father of Leslie, Edward, Norman, Jabe and Lindsay; aged 60 years. Funeral notices. DODD. The friends of the late the Honorable Jabez Edward Dodd M.L.C. of Mason St. Cottesloe Beach, and formerly of 125 Raglan Rd. North Perth, beloved husband of Florence Wilson Dodd are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Methodist portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery. The funeral is appointed to leave the residence of Mrs. J. Noble 85 Bagot Rd. Subiaco at 2.30 o'clock tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. Friends wishing to attend the funeral may proceed by the train leaving Perth at 2.37 P.M. Arthur J. Purslowe Undertaker 20 Angove Street Nth. Perth and James Street Guilford Tel. A2649. DODD. The friends of the late the Honorable Jabez Edward Dodd M.L.C. The beloved father of Leslie (engineer W.A. mine Allanson) Edward (Metropolitan Water Supply Perth) Norman (Assistant Manager A. Douglas Jones & Co. Ltd. Guilford) Jabe (Newsagent Cottesloe Beach) & Lindsay (Dental Hospital Perth) Ref. Cyclopedia of Western Australia. 1912-13 2Vols. by Battye. The Honourable JABEZ EDWARD DODD, M.L.C. A striking personality in the present Ministry is to be found in Mr. Dodd, one of the Honorary Ministers. Born at Callington, South Australia, in 1867 he is a worthy scion of the Central State. Shortly after his birth his parents removed to Kadina, in the same State. Here the subject of the present memoir was educated, and on what sound lines his future career has already made fully manifest. In 1889, at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Dodd left Kadina and proceeded to Broken Hill, where spent seven strenuos years, during which period the famous strikes of 1890 and 1892 had taken place. Being enamoured of the possibilities opening up in tne "Cinderella" State of Western Australia Mr. Dodd, attracted by its wonderful development, like many other hardy spirits, left more settled districts to try his luck on the Western Australian goldfields, making his home at Coolgardie in 1896, three years later proceeding to Kalgoorlie. During his residence in this State Mr. Dodd has been closely identified with Labour and Labour ideals, and every movement for the amelioration of the condition of the workers has found in him an earnest advocate and an enthusiastic supporter. He is known far and wide as a mediator in trade disputes, and many conflicts betwixt labour and capital have been stayed by the power of his personality. The decisions he has from time to time givren as arbitrator in industrial conflicts have been loyally accepted by the opposing forces. Early in his residence in Coolgardie Mr. Dodd became identified with unionist proposals, assisting to found the Australian Workers' Association and later the Amalgamated Miners Association, now the Western Australian Federated Miners' Union, of which until recently he was Secretary. In this posiyion he has done much to relieve the many disabilities under which the miner works. Under the deep sense of responsibility that has been such a marked feature of his career Mr. Dodd has worked so whole-heartedly in the cause of the miners that his efforts to alleviate the conditions of their labour will be remembered with gratitude wherever his name may be mentioned. The high appreciation his fellow-unionists have of integrity and ability can be found in the fact that from its inception he has been the Treasurer of the Western Australian Federated Miners Union and until recently was its Secretary. His wide experience as a practical miner in Broken Hill, Coolgardie, and Kalgoorlie has made him an authority on all questions in regard to that industry, while his tact and judgment have earned for him a place in the Legislature and Cabinet of the State of his adoption. Wiyh wisdom and with confidence he has guided the affairs of his fellow-unionists, and it is with confidence we can regard his advent on a wider sphere of action. Like many of his contemporaries in the political world Mr. Dodd made consistent essays in the world of journalist literature, for despite his strenuous efforts on behalf of his Union he found time to become a regular contributor to the columns of "THE WORKER". In 1910 he was returned for the Legislative Council in the interests of Labour for the South Province, being elected by a substantial majority. With such a short period of legislative life to be elevated to a position in the Cabinet is a marked compliment to the purity and integrity of Mr. Dodd's motives and his ability to deal with the grave questions of policy that will meet him in his present sphere. Inscription on grave. In living memory of our dear Father. Hon. Jabez E. Dodd M.L.C. Passed away 3rd january 1928 aged 62yrs.

We extract the following paragraphs, relative to the Honourable Jabez Dodd, Honorary Minister in the W.A. Labor Government, from the Kalgoorlie "Sun":

The position occupied by Jabez Dodd on these goldfields is probably without parallel in the whole history of Labor. His absolute integrity is questioned by no one, and in matters of large industrial importance he is as freely trusted by the most inveterate opponents of Labor as by Laborites themselves. It is only the plain truth to say of Dodd that at any time during recent years he has held the making or marring of the goldfields in the hollow of his hand. Without wishing for a moment to discount the steading influence of many of his lieutenants or to magnify that of the man himself, it may be admitted that the junior member for the South Province holds a debit against the goldfields, the liquidation of which (in hard cash) would land us high and dry on the rocks. We can only offer our best good-will- which is not negotiable at the bank.

Extract from pamphlet "Legislative Council Elections - South Province"

Labor Candidate J.E.Dodd Opens the Campaign before a Large and Enthusiastic Audience.

The Mining Industry.

He (Jabez Dodd) was in favor of the labor covenants being retained. There had been a movement recently in the direction of granting freeholds to mining leases. He hoped that system would never be reverted to. Whilst opposed to freehold leases, he was in favour of more aid being extended to prospectors. The proceeds of the dividend tax might very well be applied to their assistance. He was of the oppinion that when mining companies could utilise their West Australian-made profits in developing other countries, they should be compelled to encourage development of this country by assisting the prospector. He was in favor of an up-to-date Reduction Plant - as advocated by the Prospectors' Association of Kalgoorlie - being erected in some central place for the treatment of refractory ores. A great amount of sulphide ore was being broken by tributers, which either received indifferent treatment or could not be treated at all. The railway rates for the carriage of such ore might well be reduced to a nominal sum, seeing that it would be mostly back loading. Wealthy mining companies, who in the early stages of their existence earned thousands of pounds in profits, should be compelled to keep their development work ahead. when a mine was paying handsomely it should be compelled to keep development ahead of stoping. A case in point was the Lake View and Brown Hill mines. Some few years ago the Lake View was turning out a ton of gold per month in dividends. This was owing to the fact that a very rich chute of ore existed. Now the company had to do most of its expensive work with a very small profit each month. When the next case came before the Arbitration Court we would, no doubt, have figures relating to the latter years of the mine's life put in as evidence, and the may base an award upon the evidence supplied. Had we a clause in the Mining Act making it compulsory to carry on development work whilst profitable ore is being obtained, several of the non-paying mines might now be in a better position. Other matters requiring attention are the number of leases held under exemption, and the tribute question. The tribute regulation by which all men manning a lease are supposed to receive half-wages are a farce. Many leases are now being prospected and developed on behalf of mining companies, by poor fellows who are not making their salt. If a company cannot find funds to work a lease in six months, they should throw it open.

Farewell to Mr. & Mrs. Dodd by Miners' Union (unsourced):

On Friday evening the members of the Kalgoorlie and Boulder branch of the Federated Miners' Union gave a social to Mr. and Mrs. J.E.Dodd at the Boulder Town Hall.... The Chairman (Mr.McLeod) in proposing the health of their guests, said that Mr.Dodd had built up a reputation among them of which any man might be proud while the work of Mrs.Dodd in the Labor movement, and in the cause of charity, had earned their deepest gratitude. (hear, hear). Not the least of Mrs.Dodd's sacrifices was the loss of her husband's' society during so many years of struggle. Mr.Dodd had been secretary of the original A.M.A. and subsequently secretary of the Eastern Goldfields branch after the federation-11 years in total without once being opposed. (hear, hear).

Sources

• West Aust death registration #85 1928