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George Reid
born on 25 February 1845 at Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland -
George Reid
He was a free-trader and criticised the leader of the Free Trade Party, Henry Parkes, for still putting some duties on imported goods. When Parkes brought back a constitution from the 1891 Convention, Reid attacked it. -
George Reid
When he became premier in 1894, he supported a fresh approach to Federation, with the people electing delegates to the Convention. He was still unhappy with the constitution it produced but said he would vote for it. Barton and the other federalists hated him for this 'Yes-No' approach. -
George Reid
he became premier in 1894 -
George Reid
He was an advocate of federation and played a part in drafting the new constitution, where he became known as a strong defender of his colony's interests. In 1901, he was elected to the new federal parliament representing the Division of East Sydney. -
George Reid
Reid led the Free Trade Party at the first federal elections and came close to beating Barton and the protectionists, who wanted to put duties on imported goods. He was prime minister briefly in 1904–5. Protection became the national policy and Reid retired from politics