His continuing political commitment was to the establishment of a national insurance scheme and the shortening of working hours to improve social conditions during the Great Depression, despite the opposition of his own party.

He supported a shorter work week to reduce unemployment during the Great Depression and programs to improve social conditions such as national insurance and workers' housing schemes.

He refused Joseph Lyons's offer of a junior ministry and instead became parliamentary under-secretary for employment, but resigned this position in February 1936 so that he could concentrate on his private scheme to improve social conditions.

In March 1940, he lost the portfolios of health and the navy, but retained social services and supply and development in the second Menzies Ministry.

He died at the Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, survived by his wife and three daughters and two sons from his first marriage.