 Elected in 1901 to the Senate , Neild was a vigorous supporter of old @-@ age pensions , free trade and several other causes , but his ambitions of promotion were never realised . Passionately loyal to the British Empire , he questioned aspects of the White Australia policy and spoke in support of the children of Kanaka labourers facing deportation . His continued disputes with the military , including an attempt to have the commander of the Australian military forces found in contempt of Parliament , saw him lose respect among his colleagues and his later career was spent in comparative isolation . He lost his seat in 1910 and died the following year . 
