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

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.

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. 1 2 3 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. 1 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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