Edwin Lee NEIL

NEIL, EDWIN LEE (b. Lancashire, England, 13 Oct 1872; d. Kew, Vic, 17 Dec 1934). Anglican businessman.

Son of James and Margaret (née McCallum) Neil, he migrated to Australia with them in 1884. After working in warehouses and a bank, he became an accountant in his father's drapery firm, Wright and Neil, which was taken over by Sidney Myer in 1911. Neil was converted through the ministry of H J Hannah (q.v.) and from that time onwards submitted all aspects of his life to the Lord. His close friendship with Sidney Myer, an agnostic Jew, resulted in Myer's interest in Christianity eventually leading to his conversion while in the USA. Neil married Lucy Harriet Hunt on 11 Sept 1900.

Neil was a very successful Christian businessman. His natural ability and business experience complemented the flair and drive of Myer and the two formed an excellent partnership. He took charge of the staff, trained them, provided medical care for them, stressing the desirability of good health and manners and the avoidance of alcohol. When Myer's was incorporated in 1917 he became manager and co-director with Sidney Myer, and managing director when the Myer Emporium Ltd was formed in 1925. He was in charge of the company during Myer's frequent business trips overseas.

Neil was involved with several charitable and political organisations including the Melbourne Homoeopathic (Prince Henry's) Hospital. After some years as member of the board he became frustrated with its organisation and the methodology of the hospital and resigned. The prime minister appointed him commissioner in charge of the Australian section of the British Empire Exhibition in London in 1925. He used the opportunity to press for an Imperial preference scheme, but was highly critical of the government's failure to promote Australian products. He was appointed CBE in 1926. He also helped to form the Citizens' League, one of the many right-wing political organisations to emerge in the late 1920s. He was joint vice-president with G J Coles, and wrote Why we need a Citizen's League. The League joined the All Australia League, which was later absorbed into the United Australia Party, which gained office at Victorian and federal elections in 1931.

Music and involvement in church and missionary organisations were his main interests. He was a fine musician, a member of several choral societies, and organist at St Hilary's church, East Kew. He was a synod member and a lay canon of St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne. He was deeply involved in the CMS, being chairman of the general committee, president of the Gleaners' Union and the leader of the Missionary Service League for a number of years. He was also very interested in the work of the China Inland Mission (CIM). He joined the committee in June 1915 and served on it for many years.

Neil was a close friend of the Rev C H Nash (q.v.) and was the founding president of the MBI Council from 1920-34, working in close cooperation with Nash, the founding principal. Through the contribution which he made the MBI grew in status and influence, and became Victoria's leading interdenominational Bible school and missionary training college.

Neil died at his home in Kew and at his funeral the Salvation Army, the Myer Emporium Choir and metropolitan choral societies sang his favourite hymns. He was survived by his wife, his missionary son, Alan Neil (q.v.), and three daughters. He was a highly respected and conscientious Christian, who very successfully linked Christian principles to all aspects of his busy life.

Keith Cole, A History of the Church Missionary Society of Australia (Melbourne, 1971); W S Clack, (ed), We will Go (Melbourne, 1990)

KEITH COLE