Herbert Pratten

Herbert Edward Pratten (7 May 1865 – 7 May 1928) was an Australian businessman and politician. He served as Minister for Health (1924–1925) and Minister for Trade and Customs (1924–1928) in the Bruce–Page government.

Pratten was born in England. He joined John Lysaght and Co. at the age of 15 and moved to Sydney in 1884 to join the firm's Australian division. He developed diverse business interests across printing, mining and the food and beverage industry, and became known as a writer on Australia's commercial relationship with Asia. Pratten was elected as a Senator for New South Wales at the 1917 federal election, representing the Nationalist Party. He transferred to the House of Representatives at the 1921 Parramatta by-election and was considered a candidate to replace Billy Hughes as Nationalist leader and prime minister after the 1922 election. The role was taken by S. M. Bruce and Pratten went on to serve as a minister in the new government from 1924 until his death in 1928.

Early life Pratten was born on 7 May 1865 in Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire, England. He was the son of Ann Rebecca (née Vowles) and Herbert Graham Pratten; his mother died in 1870.

Business career In about 1888, Pratten established a soft drink company in Ashfield, New South Wales. He founded a printing company in 1889 and arranged for his half-brother Frederick to immigrate from England. Their company Pratten Bros. became "one of the largest of its kind in Australia". In 1895, he also acquired Taylor Bros., a jam manufacturer which had been indebted to him. He sold the company a few years before World War I at a substantial profit. Pratten was also a director of the Stanmore Preserving Company, which exported fruit pulp to Europe using newly developed cold-storage techniques.

Public life Pratten served on the Ashfield Municipal Council from 1905 to 1912, including as mayor from 1909 to 1911. Pratten was also president of the New South Wales Chamber of Manufactures from 1912 to 1914. In response, he issued a statement to the press stating that he was surprised by the reports and that no overtures had been made to him. The following week, Melbourne's Herald reported that Pratten would likely become deputy prime minister in a government led by Page, while The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Bruce would become prime minister and Pratten would be his deputy.

Government minister, 1924–1928

It had been expected that Pratten would take the trade and customs portfolio in the Bruce–Page Ministry, but he was unexpectedly omitted. The Age reported that he had been "accepted by every member in the House as a certainty in whatever Cabinet might be constituted".

Pratten was eventually elevated to cabinet in June 1924, following Austin Chapman's resignation. He was appointed Minister for Trade and Customs and Minister for Health; he relinquished the latter portfolio to Neville Howse in January 1925. As trade minister, Pratten was considered a strong protectionist, believing Australia needed a high-tariff policy in order to protect its local industry from currency depreciation and dumping. However, he also supported Imperial Preference. He introduced legislation to establish the Tariff Board on a permanent basis, Pratten died in May 1928 on his 63rd birthday, suffering a cerebral haemorrhage while addressing a Nationalist women's meeting in Turramurra. He was succeeded in federal parliament by his nephew Frederick Graham Pratten, who won the 1928 Martin by-election.