COLLINS, WILLIAM WHITEHOUSE (1855-1923) was born at Harbourne, Staffordshire, with a strong radical inheritance from his father, who had been a Chartist prisoner. Educated at a private school, at Midland Institute and Mason College, Birmingham, he intended qualifying for the Baptist Ministry.

While studying in the science and art department at South Kensington, Collins became associated with the Secularists, and made the acquaintance of Charles Bradlaugh and Mrs. Besant. Having obtained his diploma as a lecturer of the National Secular Society, he left for Sydney in 1885 under engagement to the Freethought Association. During five years there, lecturing and organising, and a similar period in Tasmania he obtained a wide knowledge of the colonies. In 1890 he settled in Christchurch, where he established the Lyceum and was leader of the Canterbury Freethought Association (afterwards the New Zealand Rationalist Association). In 1907 he established a Rationalist paper, The Examiner, which he carried on till ill-health compelled him to return to Sydney (1917).

In 1893 Collins was induced to contest a parliamentary seat for the City of Christchurch, which he won. He represented that electorate in 1893-96 and again 1899-1902. In 1896 he was narrowly defeated, but in 1899 he was reelected as senior member in the triple electorate. Having lost his seat in 1902, he contested Christchurch East in 1905. Collins married a daughter of E. Skinner, president of the Freethought Association in New South Wales. He died on 12 Apr 1923.

N.Z.P.D., 15 Jun 1923; H. H. Pearce (information); Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Sydney Morning Herald, 14 Apr 1923. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 102

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