Background
PARK, James Smith was born on December 25, 1854 in Glasgow. Son of late Robert Ballantyne Park of Glasgow'.
PARK, James Smith was born on December 25, 1854 in Glasgow. Son of late Robert Ballantyne Park of Glasgow'.
Western Academy and University, Glasgow'. Freight and 1561 General Manager at Glasgow of Allan Line, and a director of said line, also principal owner and manager of The Park Steamship Company, Limited, and an underwriter at Lloyd’s.
Chairman, Dominion of Canada Investment and Debenture Company, Ltd. Director of R. and J. Dick, Ltd., and The British Dyewood and Chemical Company, Ltd. Director in many philanthropic and educational institutions.
Has given important evidence on behalf of shipowners before Royal and other commissions. Has raised and successfully contested very important points connected with shipping with the Board of Trade. Notably, he discovered that the whole system of charging light dues in force was illegal, and in consequence thereof the Board of Trade appointed a committee to consider the whole question.
Gave important evidence before it, and the committee practically recommended the scheme of charge which he put forward, which was ultimately embodied in an Act of Parliament and is the present system. One of the few shipowners who strongly contends that light dues should not be abolished, but that shipowners should have a large share in the control of the expenditure so as to secure economical administration. Was a member of Board of Trade Committee to consider question of Boy Sailors, and of War Office Committees re Auxiliary Forces.
Has long been an advocate of universal physical and military training. Volunteer Officers' Decoration; late commander 1st Lanarkshire R.E. Vols., and Scottish Group Telegraph Coys. R.E. Territorial Force; member of the Territorial Force Association of the County of City of Glasgow; Justice of the Peace County of City of Glasgow.
Clubs: Constitutional; New, Conservative, Glasgow.