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CARTOON - TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD

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Ben Strange

1922

Subcollections

Overview

Scene of 7 men around a table. At the head of the table is a man standing with one hand in pocket and the other to the collar of his suit jacket. Figure is speaking to the group and has light radiating from behind his head with [THE CONFERENCE] written across it. Five of the other figures are wearing an assortment of masks that are covering the fact that they are asleep. The sixth figure on the right side of the speaker is bald and reading from a page on the desk. The middle figure on the right side is holding a piece of paper with [STATE / RIGHTS] written on it. Books and pens are on the table.
Ben Strange signature bottom right.
The cartoon was published in the Western Mail 12 January 1922 with the caption:
One would like to admit a belief that from a forthcoming Premiers Conference something tangibly beneficial to the Commonwealth and the States will result, but with the knowledge of a succession of these gatherings since Federation was emanated faith is hard to maintain.
THE PREMIERS CONFERENCE BOVRILISED: BUT THE STATES LIVE IN HOPE.

Historical information

On January 17 1922 the state premiers met with the Prime Minister William 'Billy' Hughes to discuss a range of issues including the establishment of a uniform national railway gauge and immigration. This Ben Strange cartoon was drawn before the meeting when it was noted that unlike the previous premiers conference in late 1921 there were no local pressures such as the sitting of state parliament to draw them away so they could all take their time to discuss the many issues facing the nation that were passed over at the previous meeting. This as suggested by Ben Strange would allow for long days of meetings.
The cartoon also makes reference to state rights. At the time the Federal
Government was interested in expanding the power of the Federal Government. At the previous meeting the Federal Government had tried to come to an agreement with the states regarding Federal control of Federal industrial awards within the states. Something the states at the time did not see as an important issue.
For Western Australian and Queensland the issue of Federal Support for their planned migration schemes were key.
Much to everyone's surprise the expected week of meetings ended after one day.
Why the premiers are drawn as they are is unknown at this time.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-AK1999.95

Item type

Artworks

Themes

Art and Design
People
Social History
War and Conflict

Material

Ink

Paper

Pencil

Width

770 mm

Depth

530 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Artist's signature bottom left [Ben Strange

Keywords

STRANGE Ben Mr

Western Mail Newspaper

West Australian Newspaper

Group Settlement Scheme

World War One

Immigration

History - Great Britain

MITCHELL James, Sir

Western Australia

Year

1922

Statement of significance

HIGH
The Ben Strange cartoons are historically significant as they depict many key figures linked to the history and development of both Western Australia and Australia. Political figures who regularly appeared in his cartoon’s included John ‘Happy Jack’ Scaddan, the Premier of Western Australia from 1911 until 1916, and William ‘Billy’ Hughes, the Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923.

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Object’s condition or completeness

Rare or representative

City of Armadale - History House

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