Twenty third Governor of New South Wales.

Born in Malta in 1861.

Before he was Governor of New South Wales, he was Governor of Western Australia (1909 - 1913).

Strongly supported Federation (as opposed to unification) as well as Imperial federation. Restrained his ministers from expressing secessionist views.

In the early days of Federation he was involved in the delicate matter of State rights and the appointment, role and salaries of Governors.

Arrived in New South Wales and noted that "there was some religious friction". He was confident that "an English Roman Catholic Governor" would be the best person to fix it.

In May, 1916 he criticized Premier Holman's tactic of pretending to resign his commission to avoid a vote of censure at the Political Labor Conference. He told him that resignation from office meant complete resignation and a bluff was unacceptable.

Later that year the two came into conflict again when Holman - deposed as leader of the Labor Party - was negotiating a coalition government. Strickland told him he could "no longer transact business" with him. While Strickland's object had been to safeguard the electors against a government that had never received popular endorsement, London expected him to stay out of it. He was directed by the Colonial Office to assent to the National Government's bill prolonging the life of the parliament that he unwillingly did.

Recalled and left Australia in 1917.

Became Prime Minister of Malta in 1927.

Died in 1940.

D. T. Bennett, WOODWARD, Sir W. Forthcoming (Australian Dictionary of Biography)