in 1924, also without success. Federal parliament Verran stood unsuccessfully as a Nationalist candidate for the Senate at the 1922 federal election and for the House of Representatives seat of Hindmarsh at the 1925 election. On 30 August 1927, aged 71, Verran was elected by state parliament to fill a casual vacancy caused by the death of ALP senator Charles McHugh. After taking his seat he spoke frequently on industrial relations and intergovernmental matters. He supported the Bruce–Page Government's proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904 and proposed introduction of secret ballots to decide strikes. Despite his background, Verran's rhetoric became increasingly anti-union, describing militant unionists as "responsible for much of our present troubles" and unions in general as "infernal political fighting machines". He also reluctantly supported the 1927 financial agreement between the federal government and the states, although stating "I never have been a federalist [...] indeed, I fought against federation, because, in my opinion, federation means the damnation of any country". Verran was defeated at the 1928 election after just over a year in the Senate. Later life His wife predeceased him and he was survived by three sons and four daughters. He died at his daughter's home in Unley and was given a state funeral. He was buried at Moonta. Verran was a man of fine character whose honesty was proverbial. For many years he was a power in the Labor ranks, but his career really ended when he left the party. See also Verran Ministry Hundred of Verran References Ross McMullin, The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 |- |- |- |- |- |- 1856 births 1932 deaths People from Gwennap Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of South Australia Premiers of South Australia Australian trade unionists Members of the Australian Senate for South Australia Members of the Australian Senate Australian people of Cornish descent British emigrants to Australia Leaders of the Opposition in South Australia Nationalist Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia Members of the South Australian House of Assembly 20th-century Australian politicians