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MR. WATKINS (DENISON).
Mr. Beii WatUlng was born at Hobart
on July 23, 1SS4, aud was educated
at Macquarie street State
school, liuishlag at St Mary's niglit
ficliooL He started earning Ill's living
wlieu only 12 .years ot age, taking m>
tne printer's machinist trade at tU
"Clipper," and bas been connected
with that paper ever since.
"NV-lien only 17 years of age be was
prominent In Hobart debating societies,
and contesting several mock elections
was never defeated, always
"Vtanding as a pledged 'Labor candidate.
Mr. Watklns took several
prizes at Hobart and Launceston
literary competitions. He lias been
connected with tbe Labor organisations
since leaving school.
At 17 yeitrs of age be beld tbe secretaryship
ot tbe South Hobart W.P.L.
and later became president of tbe Hobart
branch. W'^iile occupying that
position In 1908 be was selected to
contest tbe South Hobart seat m tbe
House of Assembly against the Hon.
Stafford Bird and Mr. Macmaster.
Though only 21 years of age at tbe
time be ran a good second to Mr. Bird,
polling 575 votes against Mr. Bird's
799 and Mr. Macmaster's 317 in a district
that was always regarded as
highly Conservative.
Shortly after that, Mr. George Bums,
Labor member for Queenstown, retired
from that seat to contest tbe
Federal seat of Denison. Mr. Watkins
was invited to contest the Labur
pre-election of Quecustown and was
successful to securing tbe nomination,
and was then returned unopposed—the
youngest members of Parliament
in Australasia. "Boy Ben"
(as he has been termed) has since bis
election addressed nearly 200 meetings
In support of the Labor policy in
various parts of tbe State. On taking
his seat as the member for Queenstown
be was elected whip of tbe
Labor party. He bas attended all
political Labor conferences of the last
four yearn, the most notable being tbe
inter-State Labor Conference held at
Brisbane last year, which he attended
as one of Tasmania's sis repre-
sentatives.
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