Common Cause (South Australia)

Common Cause was an organisation formed during the Second World War to consider post-war reconstruction and society. It became a popular movement but was tainted by accusations of Communism.

History

Common Cause was founded in 1943 as a vehicle for a number of idealistic community leaders of diverse backgrounds to discuss the post-war economic and social future of South Australia. Charter members were:[1]

  • Professor K. S. Isles (chairman)
  • A. A. Angrave (secretary of Plasterers' Union)
  • Dr. A. R. Callaghan (principal of Roseworthy College)
  • Sidney Crawford (chairman of C.M.V. Motors)
  • Charles Duguid (medical doctor and advocate for Aboriginal advancement)
  • Tom Garland (secretary of the Gasworkers' Union)
  • Rev. Guy Pentreath (head of St. Peter's College)
  • Professor G. V. Portus
  • Alex M. Ramsay (economist)
  • W. A. Sams (State organiser for the Shop Assistants' Union and executive member of the Communist Party)
  • Gilbert Seaman (statistical and research officer of the Commonwealth Treasury Department.)
  • A. B. Thompson (president, United Trades and Labour Council)
  • John W. Wainwright (Auditor-General, South Australian Government)
  • D. R. Watson (hairdresser)

The idealistic aims of the organisation found favour with a large section of the community, disenchanted by the Great Depression and tired of the war and looking forward to a future of industrial peace and prosperity. A. J. Hannan of Medindie (the Crown Solicitor) was a prominent critic, accusing it of being either a Communist front organisation or susceptible to takeover by Communists by virtue of its open membership and support by the Union movement. Rev. E. S. Kiek of Parkin College made a passionate defence of Common Cause, and was supported by large number of ministers of religion who were also members.[2]

At its first Annual General Meeting K. S. Isles, was re-elected president; vice presidents elected were A. B. Thompson and G. V. Portus; hon. treasurer L. J. Mulroney; minute secretary Maurice Brown; executive council Sidney Crawford, A. A. Drummond, Mrs. Fairbank, T. Garland, Mrs. K. S. Isles, J. H. Knight, and Dr. J. Lugg.[3] They had a meeting room on Waymouth Street.[4]

The organisation helped found a kindergarten and community centre at Nuriootpa, a town with a well-developed community spirit, and where the aims of Common Cause were particularly welcomed. In 1944 Common Cause published a booklet A Township starts to live : the valley of Barossa : South Australia's new community. [5] Crawford, a prime mover in its foundation, retired shortly after.[6]

Isles resigned as president on the eve of his departure for London on Army business.[7]

Common Cause disbanded in 1949.[6]

References
  1. "The Origin and aims of New S.A. Movement". The News. Vol. 40, no. 6, 112. Adelaide. 1 March 1943. p. 2. Retrieved 4 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "Common Cause and Communism". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 14 May 1943. p. 6. Retrieved 7 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Common Cause Elects Officers". The News. Vol. 42, no. 6, 458. Adelaide. 11 April 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 7 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Common Cause Farewell". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 17 December 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 7 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. Common Cause (S.A.) (1944), A Township starts to live : the valley of Barossa, South Australia's new community, Common Cause, retrieved 9 March 2018
  6. Susan Marsden, 'Crawford, Sidney (1885–1968)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/crawford-sidney-9859/text17443, published first in hardcopy 1993, accessed online 9 March 2018.
  7. "Common Cause Resignation". The News. Vol. 44, no. 6, 730. Adelaide. 23 February 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 7 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
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