William Clemens (public servant)

Sir William James Clemens, CMG, ISO (27 March 1873 – 4 September 1941) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his service to the Commonwealth Public Service Board.

Sir William James Clemens
CMG, ISO
Secretary of the Department of Home and Territories
In office
11 June 1928 – 9 December 1928
Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs
In office
10 December 1928 – 31 December 1928
Chairman of the Public Service Board
In office
23 April 1933 – 26 March 1937
Personal details
Born
William James Clemens

(1873-03-27)27 March 1873
Beechworth, Victoria
Died4 September 1941(1941-09-04) (aged 68)
Melbourne, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Spouse(s)1) Lillie White
(m.1899, died 1911). 2) Belle Webster
(m.1914).
OccupationPublic servant

Life and career

Clemens was born at Spring Creek, Beechworth, Victoria on 27 March 1873.[1] His parents were James and Catherine Clemens.[2]

Clemens joined the Victorian Public Service in 1899.[2] In 1901, the year of Federation, Clemens transferred into the Commonwealth Public Service.[1]

In June 1928, Clemens was appointed Secretary of the Department of Home and Territories,[3] and later that year Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.[4]

In 1929, Clemens was appointed third commissioner of the Public Service Board.[5][6][7] In 1931, he was appointed sole Public Service Commissioner after the retirement of W.J. Skewes as Chairman of the Public Service Board.[8] In 1937, Clemens retired from the public service.[9]

In 1938, the Australian Government appointed Clemens to conduct an inquiry into the high cost of living in Canberra.[10] As part of the inquiry, Clemens was tasked with investigating why the costs of meat, vegetables, milk, groceries and other food in Canberra was much higher than in other nearby cities.[11] While the inquiry was not a Royal Commission, Clemens was still granted the powers to call witnesses, take evidence under oath, and demand the production of books and documents.[12] His report, delivered in March 1939,[13][14] in six sections, recommended administrative action against monopolies controlling supply in the ACT.[15]

Clemens died in Melbourne on 4 September 1941,[1] following an operation.[16]

Awards and honours

Clemens was appointed a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in June 1925 whilst Secretary of the Public Service Board.[17] In June 1934, he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for his services as Commissioner of the Commonwealth Service Board.[18] In 1937 he was made a Knight Bachelor.[19]

In November 2004, a street in Canberra's central business district was named William Clemens Street in Clemens' honour.[20]

References
  1. Gourley, P.D.; Stewart, M.F., "Clemens, Sir William James (1873–1941)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 29 April 2014
  2. Sir William James CLEMENS CMG, ISO, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 22 February 2015
  3. CA 15: Department of Home and Territories, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 22 February 2015
  4. CA 24: Department of Home Affairs [II], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 22 February 2015
  5. "Federal Affairs. Work and Workers. Important Appointments". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia. 7 January 1929. p. 24.
  6. "Federal Officials. Important Changes". The Register News-Pictorial. Adelaide, South Australia. 3 January 1929. p. 10.
  7. "Sir WM. Clemens. Death in Melbourne". The Canberra Times. 5 September 1941. p. 4.
  8. "Public Service Board: Mr. Clemens to Act Alone". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. 15 May 1931. p. 7.
  9. "Mr. W. J. Clemens. Public Service Board Chairman Retires". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 March 1937. p. 19.
  10. "Inquiry into Canberra Costs: Sir William Clemens appointed". The Canberra Times. 5 March 1938. p. 1.
  11. "Canberra Cost of Living. Sir William Clemens to Investigate". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 March 1938. p. 12.
  12. "Canberra living costs enquiry. Wide powers for Sir William Clemens". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia. 9 March 1938. p. 27.
  13. "Canberra Milk and Meat Monopolies". The Canberra Times. 18 March 1939. p. 4.
  14. "Cost of Living. Review of Clemens Report. Advisory Council to Meet". The Canberra Times. 20 March 1939. p. 1.
  15. "Action against monopolies in Canberra". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton, Queensland. 23 March 1939. p. 29.
  16. "Sir William Clemens, Canberra". Advocate. Burnie, Tasmania. 6 September 1941. p. 2.
  17. "Search Australian Honours: CLEMENS, William James, Imperial Service Order", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 21 February 2015
  18. "Search Australian Honours: CLEMENS, William James, The Order of St Michael and St George – Companion", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 21 February 2015
  19. "Search Australian Honours: CLEMENS, William James, Knight Bachelor", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 21 February 2015
  20. William Clemens Street, ACT Government, retrieved 31 March 2015
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