Alexander Paterson

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Alexander Paterson (January 24, 1844 - March 23, 1908), Australian politician, was an independent member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 30, 1901 to November 23, 1903, representing the Division of Capricornia, Queensland.

He was born in Greenock, Scotland and had migrated to Australia in 1875.

On June 15, 1901, during the first parliament of the Commonwealth, the Immigration Restriction Bill 1901 was introduced. The bill was defined as:

A Bill for an Act to place certain restrictions on Immigration and to provide for the removal from the Commonwealth of Prohibited Immigrants.

The wording of the bill also listed in its definitions that restrictions "means any person who is unable to write out 50 words in a European language dictated by an officer".

Paterson spoke in favour of the bill, and in particular of the 'Chinese problem'. The bill was subsequently passed, and set in motion what is popularly known as the White Australia policy, which survived until late in the 20th century.

Alexander Paterson did not contest the subsequent election, and retired from politics.