Education
Leaving school at 10 to become a nipper on railway construction works. After helping on his father's farm, at 13 he was apprenticed as a compositor to the North Otago Times.
Leaving school at 10 to become a nipper on railway construction works. After helping on his father's farm, at 13 he was apprenticed as a compositor to the North Otago Times.
Watson had developed his debating and speaking skills by renewing his industrial work in the Typographical Association of New South Wales. His proficiency and dedication facilitated his rise in the union.
Watson was commissioned to form a government in which he served as Prime Minister and Treasurer. Watson was replaced as Prime Minister by George Reid, leading a conservative Free Trade–Protectionist coalition. Out of Parliament, Watson continued to work for Labor.
In January 1890 he was elected a delegate to the New South Wales Trades and Labor Council, becoming Council President in 1892. Watson was elected to the new Commonwealth parliament in 1901 as Member for the New South Wales seat of Bland.He was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party from May 1901 to October 1907.
New South Wales Labor Party , Australia
1891
Sydney Trades and Labour Council , Austarlia
1892
New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the country seat of Young , Austarlia
1894 - 1901
Federal Parliamentary Labour Party , Australia
1901 - 1907
National Roads and Motorists Association , Austarlia
Australian Motorists Petrol Co Ltd , Austarlia