Labor was taking an increasingly radical turn. Despite this, he remained with Labor, even becoming deputy leader in 1918. However, in 1919, when Labor opposed Hughes' plans to increase the federal government's powers over industry and commerce, Higgs supported them and was expelled from the party in January 1920. After eight months as an independent, he joined Hughes' Nationalist Party. However, Capricornia was naturally a Labor seat, and at the 1922 election, he was soundly defeated by Labor's Frank Forde. Life after politics Higgs later became a campaigner for the plight of the mentally ill and was the Honorary president of the Society for the Welfare of Mental Patients. He wrote books on the subject; petitioned the Government of Victoria to improve conditions in Victorian Mental Hospitals and proposed changes to the Victorian Lunacy Act. Personal life Higgs married Mary Ann Knight in Sydney on 18 April 1889. The couple had two sons, Guy and William, and a daughter, Marie. Both his wife and sons predeceased him. In later life, Higgs became a Christian Science practitioner. References 1862 births 1951 deaths Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Australia Australian people of Cornish descent Independent members of the Parliament of Australia Nationalist Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia Members of the Cabinet of Australia Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Capricornia Treasurers of Australia Members of the Australian Senate Members of the Australian Senate for Queensland 20th-century Australian politicians Australian people of Irish descent Australian printers Australian Christian Scientists