Ernest Alfred James (1 November 1893 – December 1963) was an accountant, newspaper proprietor and politician in the Territory of Papua New Guinea.

After earning his certification, he joined the Treasury of the Territory of Papua in 1915,[2] also becoming a special constable.

[3] The European population of the territory was evacuated in December 1941 and January 1942 due to World War II.

[5] However, in June 1959, he and the two other elected members resigned from the council in protest at the introduction of income tax in the territory.

[6] He later retired to the Yeronga area of Brisbane in Australia, where he died at home in December 1963 at the age of 70.