18 September 2010 – 13 March 2011
Talbot Family Treasures Wall, level 4
State Library of Queensland
A. J. Hingston and Truth:
an overview
One hundred years ago… but what’s new in
Queensland politics?
It would seem
that political issues and
politicians then and now
have much in common
Between 1905 and 1910 Arthur James Hingston’s
cartoons and sketch portraits in Brisbane’s Truth
newspaper helped shape the political views of
Queensland’s working class. Even a brief glance
at this Talbot Family Treasures Wall selection of his
pen and ink drawings from 1907 to 1910 makes us
wonder: “So what’s new in Queensland politics?”
Perhaps political issues and politicians then and
now have much in common.
Hingston’s subjects include: leaders who make
backroom deals, switch or create new parties;
powers for the police; police corruption; racism;
teachers’ pay and retirement benefits; transport
planning; monopolies in the sugar industry; the
future location of Brisbane’s City Hall; the future
of the Legislative Council; wowsers who opposed
drink; and even the threat of a referendum when
parliament hesitated to enact laws.
A. J. Hingston’s drawings for Truth cartoons are
sharp and provocative. They also have subtle
biblical or literary references no doubt missed by
some of his audience. His Truth cartoons were
embellished by a jingoism which often rather crudely
reflected the newspaper’s view. His work can be
seen as the ‘blogs’ of their day, but it should not be
assumed Hingston was expressing his own political
views: Truth paid his salary and called the shots.
item 16 – first rotation
Founded by John McKinnon in 1900, Truth (“The
People’s Paper”) was published every Sunday. Its
editorial stance was aggressively pro Labor, anti
highbrow, establishment, wowsers, Germans and
Chinese. It was also known to sensationalise the
trivial. Truth catered for those who found other local
papers such as The Courier, The Age, Catholic
Advocate and The Queenslander too analytical or
too “highbrow”, or not working class enough.
Hingston served Truth with distinction as a black
and white artist, benefiting from the presence
in Australia of famous American and British
cartoonists, as well as the desire to work in London.
Truth’s editorial stance
was aggressively pro
Labor, anti highbrow…
and was given
to sensationalising
the trivial.
The Bulletin (founded in 1880) attracted Livingstone
Hopkins (Hop) from America in 1883. Phil May
came out between 1886 and 1889, and D.H.
Souter also arrived in 1886 from Britain. Both
Souter and Hop were still working when Hingston
died in 1912, and they certainly influenced his style
more than Norman Lindsay, who left for London in
1909, or Will Dyson who went in 1910.
Born in the United Kingdom in 1874, A. J. Hingston
arrived in Brisbane as an infant. He trained in
commercial and fine arts at the Brisbane Technical
College. By 1902, when he left for London,
Hingston had undertaken work for Truth and the
Worker. His talent was obviously well considered
in London where he did cartoons for the Daily Mail
and the populist journal John Bull. But because
of poor health he soon returned to Brisbane, after
which his cartoons and portrait sketches were
featured in Truth and occasionally in Steele Rudd’s
Magazine. He died in September 1912.
An interesting feature of Hingston’s black and white
drawings is that he drew as Hop and Phil May
did by relying on parallel, clean, straight lines, or a
simple outline, to suggest shape or volume. This
pen and ink approach was essential when an artist’s
drawing had to be reproduced by carving it into a
wood block, which was inked to make a print.
One reason Australia attracted overseas illustrators
was that several printers had invested in the latest
item 15 – first rotation
machinery, and publishers were keen to experiment
with various types of photographic reproduction.
By 1889, as long as an artist used a firm line,
they could draw very freely and directly onto a
polished zinc plate, which would be reproduced
by photo-engraving. This was faster, cheaper, and
gave artists control over their image, which was
reproduced in whatever size was required.
Cartoonists became
famous, and could
daily satirise Governors,
Judges, Premiers and
people of note in a way
few had previously dared.
Later on, artists such as Hingston simply made a
drawing on paper which was photographed directly
on to the printing plate. Thanks to the speed of this
process cartoonists overnight became ‘famous’,
and in theory, could daily satirise Governors,
Judges and Premiers and people of note in a way
few had previously dared.
Nonetheless, many cartoonists viewed illustration
only as a source of income and prefered to be
considered fine artists. Hingston exhibited oils and
watercolours with the Queensland Art Society, and
was friends with two well-known Brisbane artists,
his brother-in-law Stanhope Hobday, and Richard
Randall.
Queensland political events and
personalities of the 1900s
A short overview of Queensland political events
between 1907 and 1910 will show how topical
Hingston’s cartoons for Truth were, while also
revealing a distinct leaning toward the Labor party.
In addition, they provide a wonderful counterpoint
to current political debates in Queensland.
Chief amongst Hingston’s targets during this period
were William Kidston, Labor leader who later left
the party; Conservative premier Robert Philp, and
Queensland Governor Lord Chelmsford.
Born in Scotland, William Kidston (1849-1919)
settled in Rockhampton in 1882, where he joined
the Labor Party. He supported the Shearers’
Strike of 1891, and was an advocate of Central
Queensland separation, whilst opposing Federation.
Kidston also supported electoral reform, the
deportation of Pacific Island workers, and the vote
for women. He argued that the Federal government
should take on the State’s debt in return for annual
payments, and opposed the sale of Crown land.
After becoming leader of the Labor party in
Queensland in 1904, Kidston fell out with the more
socialist faction of the party, and in early 1906 he
split. Those Laborites who followed swore loyalty
to him, not Labor. Kidston duly formed a coalition
with the Conservative party lead by Robert Philp.
Kidston was Premier from1906 to November 1907,
and again from 1908-1911.
Another Scot, Robert Philp (1851-1922) settled
in Townsville, and was a founding partner in the
pastoral and shipping agent Burns Philp. Philp also
profited from land and insurance businesses, and
brought in Pacific Islanders to work the cane fields.
Philp supported mining and private ownership
of mining railroads. He liked Macrossan’s idea of
a separate Northern Queensland, and later tried
to stop closure of the Legislative Council (Upper
House) of the Queensland Parliament.
item 10 – first rotation
Having entered Queensland Parliament in 1886
as a Conservative he held many portfolios before
becoming Premier in 1899-1903, and again
controversially in 1907-1908 when appointed by
Lord Chelmsford.
Lord Chelmsford (1868-1933), a bright and
musically talented Oxford educated British
aristocrat, was unexpectedly appointed Queensland
Governor in 1905-1909. During his tenure he was
embroiled in debates about the future and power
of the Legislative Council, whose members were
appointed for life by the Governor on advice from
the government of the day.
item 5 – first rotation
In November 1907,
Chelmsford refused to
let Kidston increase the
Council in order to enable
wages and election
reform bills to be passed.
When Kidston resigned,
Chelmsford made Philp
Premier, but unwisely
allowed him to call an
election in February 1908
which he lost to Kidston.
Despite this blunder,
Chelmsford became
Governor of New South
Wales, and later Viceroy of
India.
item 14 – second rotation
These drawings are part of a collection of
Hingston’s work given to the John Oxley Library,
State Library of Queensland by Hingston’s sister,
Mrs. Percy Stanhope Hobday, in 1952.
8
A. J. Hingston
Warning to W.P.O’s, 1907
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C5
Due to conservation requirements this exhibition will
be displayed in two rotations.
The Workers’ Political Organizations should stop
bickering with Kidston and focus on demanding
reform of the Legislative Council.
18 September – 8 December
9
A. J. Hingston
A political pie, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C7
A reference to the nursery rhyme Four and
Twenty Blackbirds which describes the February
election result that gave Kidston twenty-five and
Labor twenty-two seats; Philp lost with twentyfive seats. Chelmsford is clearly unhappy.
10 A. J. Hingston
A ticklish tournament, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C8
Following the election result all three parties
fought over the election of the Speaker, with
Patrick Leahy winning.
11
A. J. Hingston
Monarch’s meeting, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C11
King Edward VII of England sailed to Russia in
June to meet his nephew, Tsar Nicholas II. There
was little regard for the Tsar after Japan’s surprise
defeat of Russia in June 1905. Inside Russia the
humiliation fostered the 1905 Revolution. Security
was massive and Truth obviously found it all an
overkill.
1
Unknown photographer
William Kidston
black and white photograph
Acc 6999
2
Unknown photographer
Robert Philp
black and white photograph
neg. 198002
3
Unknown photographer
Lord Chelmsford
black and white photograph
neg. 8986
4
A. J. Hingston
The rush for seats, 1907
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C1
Truth believed that the May election had attracted
some very dubious candidates.
5
William Kidston
A. J. Hingston
A coming collision, 1907
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C2
Hingston’s title refers to a railroad collision near
Gracemere, but the content concerns the election
called after Kidston resigned as Premier when
he could not “stack” the Legislative Council
(upper house). As Queensland Governor Lord
Chelmsford controversially appointed Philp
Premier but Kidston won the February 1908
election.
6
A. J. Hingston
Two to one against, 1907
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C3
This refers to the confusion over the three way
election and Truth’s view that Kidston’s followers
would work with the smaller number of Labor
members against Philp’s Conservatives.
Chelmsford is seen pointing at the three little piles
in front of a befuddled Member of the Legislative
Council. The odds were two to one against Philp
winning.
7
A. J. Hingston
The power that will do it, 1907
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C4
Labor and Kidston wanted the Legislative Council
abolished, which would not occur until 1922.
12
A. J. Hingston
Sugar “sourkrauts”: snort, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C12
By 1900 German settlers owned all the sugar
mills on the Albert and Logan Rivers and resented
government interference in what they paid to
have their sugar crushed, or the wages they paid
workers.
12 a Unknown photographer
Beenleigh Rum Distillery c. 1912
black and white photograph
neg. 4186
12 bUnknown photographer
Germans Hauling Sugar Cane, Marburg, c. 1910
black and white photograph
neg. 121070
13 A. J. Hingston
Labor’s Herculean task, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C13
When the Greek hero Hercules cut off one head
the monster Hydra grew another. This cartoon
opposes the High Court’s rejection of a lower
court’s decision allowing the government to
provide trade protection for the Australian
Harvester Plough Company against American
importers. The lower court had approved the
protection but set Harvester a scale of fair wages
which it did not follow.
14
A. J. Hingston
Casabianca, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C14
Chelmsford had referred to the little known British
poem in which the boy Casabianca dies guarding
his father’s ship. His esoteric choice would have
been lost on those he addressed at the ECCA
luncheon even though it alluded to Barlow,
an acting premier who stayed behind while
Chelmsford and others toured Queensland.
15
A. J. Hingston
In the public eye, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C15
Current topics of local interest were the recent
loss by Australian Bill Squires to the Canadian
heavyweight boxing champion Tommy Burns and
the vote to build the new Brisbane Town Hall in
Albert Square, which did not happen until the 1920s.
15 a Unknown photographer
First Town Hall c. 1870
black and white photograph
neg. 145370
15 b Brisbane Town Hall League
Booklet stating need for a new Town Hall
P 725.13 bri
16
A. J. Hingston
The gathering storm, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C16
The Teacher’s Association feared future
retrenchments could mean they received
proportionately less than other public servants.
17
A. J. Hingston
The political plumbers, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C18
Kidston is on the pedestal and his party is hosing
down important legislation.
18
A. J. Hingston
Rehoboam resurrexit, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C19
When Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, was King
of Judah he imposed even heavier taxes on
his people than had his father. The allusion
is to Queensland Treasurer Peter Airey, who
discontinued paying the Local Authorities
Association what amounted to rates on Crown
land, thereby cutting regional income.
19
A. J. Hingston
Which is he?, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
26 Unknown photographer
Queensland Premier William Kidston addresses
Brisbane citizens
black and white photograph
8
A. J. Hingston
Scene at the ration depot, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C20
Acc 349/C30
A quote by David Bowman, the Labor leader,
who with Kidston had tried to curb Legislative
Council influence but discovered that Kidston
would renege and back Philp’s view, making him
a turncoat in Labor’s eyes. Truth saw Kidston as
“a murderer of free speech”.
27 Unknown photographer
Men and women at Adelaide St polling booth,
1907
Food and rations were available in an open
building on Margaret St. for people officially
declared destitute by the police. Truth sought
improvements in the food and a more dignified
treatment for the poor.
9
A. J. Hingston
Then and now, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C31
Kidston had denounced Chelmsford when he
refused to add members to the Council, but
now Truth sees Kidston as a lion fawning to
Chelmsford the lamb in hopes of a knighthood
and possibly being made Agent-General in
London.
10
A. J. Hingston
See the konkering kidder, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C32
The accompanying text has the aboriginal woman
saying that King Billy (Kidston) will make the
Prime Minister in Melbourne take notice. This
cartoon satirises the views of rival publications
the Mail and Courier.
11
A. J. Hingston
The kaptured “kidder”, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C33
Peter Airey had claimed the democractic minority
of Kidston’s party would speak out occasionally
but would be swallowed whole by Philp’s majority.
12
A. J. Hingston
Ananiasism, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C37
Ananais followed the apostles but St. Peter
denounced him a liar and hypocrite. Truth is
referring to slanted and differing accounts by
Brisbane’s Mail and Courier of a meeting in
Brisbane at which Philp, Kidston and others
spoke. The Mail claimed Kidston was cheered,
the Courier that he also got cat-calls.
13
A. J. Hingston
A tree is known by its fruit, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C38
The title comes from Matthew, xii, 33. It suggests
the tree bore much fruit when Bowman and
Kidston worked together for Labor but now bears
nothing under Kidston and Philp.
19 a Unknown photographer
David Bowman
black and white photograph
neg. 11874
20
A. J. Hingston
Political tricks, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C21
Kidston’s alliance with Philp meant Airey and
George Kerr left the Ministry and returned to
Labor, but Truth hinted at a “New Democractic
Party” being set up.
21
A. J. Hingston
A forecast, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C23
A prediction that the Coalition would break up
and the Indians (i.e. the electors in Toowoomba,
Woolloongabba, and Toowong) would scalp the
coalitionists.
22
A. J. Hingston
Self sacrifice, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C25
In the Legislative Assembly Kerr had angrily
claimed Kidston’s idea of self sacrifice was at the
altar of the Premier, so Hingston made Kidston
into a sacrificial cow with Digby Denham as High
Priest.
23
A. J. Hingston
Wowsers’ Christmas Day, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C43
The Licensing Act stated Good Friday and
Christmas were days when drink bought in a
hotel could not be consumed there. Truth argued
that the act would result in drunks filling the
streets.
24 W. J. Laurie / Charlotte M. Cameron
Robert Philp illuminated photograph album
API-68
25 Frederic John Napier Thesiger, Viscount
Chelmsford
Chelmsford photograph album 1905-1908
APO-28
Acc 84-1-1
neg. 73410
28 Unknown photographer
Parliament House, Brisbane, c. 1891
black and white photograph
Acc D1-2-84
11 December – 13 March 2011
1
Unknown photographer
William Kidston
black and white photograph
Acc 6999
2
Unknown photographer
Robert Philp
black and white photograph
neg. 198002
3
Unknown photographer
Lord Chelmsford
black and white photograph
neg. 8986
4
A. J. Hingston
Doomed to die, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library,
State Library of Queensland
Acc 3409/C24
J. W. Blair, Labor MLA for Ipswich and former
Attorney General, had been left out of Kidston’s
ministry following the merger with Philp. He
claimed he had been offered a place on the
Supreme Court as compensation. Blair was keen
to be seen in a positive light in his electorate and
claimed Kidston would fall on his sword.
Robert Philp
5
A. J. Hingston
Santa Claus in Queensland, 1908
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C26
Truth’s Christmas gift to the Queensland Ministry
refers to promises of Land Reform.
6
A. J. Hingston
A “kidder’s” kontemplations, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C28
‘Kidder’ was Truth’s name for Kidston who it saw
as devious. Failed legislation fills caskets in the
Parliament chamber.
7
A. J. Hingston
Wild “Wullies” wall, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C31
In Rockhampton Kidston was bearing down on
all who did not want the Dissolution.
14 A. J. Hingston
New central police court will be opened
tomorrow, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
18
A. J. Hingston
The monster of the moment, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C45
Acc 349/C39
While there was no parade or band, most
Queensland magistrates attended the opening of
the new central police court. Reports claimed the
new building behind the Lands Office in George
St. was more modern and suitable than the old
one in Elizabeth St.
This dragon represents the private Brisbane
Tram Company managed by J. S. Badger whose
employees could not join a union. As all the trams
were privately owned Truth believed the way to
stop this profit-making at public expense was
for the government to back electrified railways or
buses.
15
A. J. Hingston
Up in a balloon, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
18 aUnknown photographer
Tramway employees Brisbane c. 1910
black and white photograph
Acc 349/C41
In 1908 a hot air balloon had burst at the
Brisbane Cricket Ground but nobody was killed.
The real topic of this cartoon is the October
election which despite forecasts, Kidston won.
18 b Unknown photographer
Trams at Toowong Depot c. 1910
black and white photograph
16
A. J. Hingston
The Police Offences Bill, 1909
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C42
This bill proposed increased police powers and
the outlawing of street musicians, two-up, and
stray goats, prostitution, juvenile smokers, and
any publication about betting on horse races.
Although not passed the bill created enormous
debate.
neg. 133439
19
A. J. Hingston
Chink, chink, chineyman, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C47
Truth wanted a predominantly Anglo Australian
population, reflecting widespread fear of cheap,
non-unionised Chinese labour. This cartoon is
typical of views openly expressed in all sections of
the press at the time.
20 A. J. Hingston
“On these great national questions I have never
changed” - Alfred Deakin (Speech, Sydney Town
Hall), 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
A. J. Hingston
Who will lay the egg?, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C44
Acc 349/C48
This concerns the proposed new Brisbane City
Hall and who would lay the foundation stone.
Past Mayor Buchanan and future Mayor Down
took to political stalling to prevent the current
Mayor, Thomas Wilson, from officiating. Finally in
1917 the Governor laid one stone, while in 1920
the Prince of Wales laid another.
Prime Minister Alfred Deakin visited Queensland
ahead of the federal election to argue that the
States ought to return some of their Customs and
Excise duties to the federal government. Truth
opposed this view of federalism and supported
states rights. Deakin lost the election to Labor’s
Andrew Fisher.
neg. 145370
This cartoon appeared just after the federal
election in which Fisher beat Deakin, depicted
in this cartoon as a dentist gassing the public to
sleep. Hugh Macrossan stood as a Liberal but
lost out on a Senate seat. He supported Deakin’s
view that the states’ Customs and Excise duties
should be shared with the federal government.
Macrossan went on to have a distinguished
political and legal career.
23
A. J. Hingston
A great and signal victory!, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C31
This cartoon is Truth’s reply to the Courier’s
delight when Kidston’s government established
religious education in state schools. Those
dancing for joy are the Salvation Army, wowsers,
and an Anglican bishop.
acc D15-3-84
17
17 a Unknown photographer
First Town Hall c. 1870
black and white photograph
21
A. J. Hingston
The battle for the Bible, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C49
A very hot topic as Kidston’s government
supported religious education in state schools.
The Salvation Army (of which Truth disapproved)
and Protestants agreed. The Roman Catholic
clergy, the Labor party, and anti-Kidstonites
opposed it. Truth claimed it would put education
in the control of “Bible-banging bounders” and
create sectarian malice.
22
A. J. Hingston
Macrossan’s joke, 1910
pen and ink on paper
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Acc 349/C50
23 a Unknown photographer
Salvation Army group portrait c. 1900
black and white photograph
acc D2-9-95
24 W. J. Laurie / Charlotte M. Cameron
Robert Philp illuminated photograph album
API-68
25 Frederic John Napier Thesiger, Viscount Chelmsford
Chelmsford photograph album 1905-1908
APO-28
26 Unknown photographer
Queensland Premier William Kidston addresses
Brisbane citizens
black and white photograph
Acc 84-1-1
27 Unknown photographer
Men and women at Adelaide St polling booth, 1907
neg. 73410
28 Unknown photographer
Parliament House, Brisbane, c. 1891
black and white photograph
Acc D1-2-84
More information about items in Truth to Tell: the
political cartoons of A. J. Hingston 1904-1911
can be found at www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/
exhibit/online/tw
Acknowledgements
This exhibition was curated by Nancy Underhill
and Dianne Byrne with expertise provided by State
Library of Queensland staff.
Cover illustration
Detail, Then and now (item 9 – second rotation)
Background illustrations
Page 1 Ananiasism (item 12 – first rotation)
Page 2 Wowsers’ Christmas day (item 23 – first rotation)
Page 3 Up in a balloon (item 15 – second rotation)
Page 4 New central police court will be opened tomorrow (item 14 – second rotation)
Page 5 Detail, Up in a balloon (item 15 – second rotation)