In 1891, North was appointed clerk of the Executive Council of Western Australia. He served as secretary to the Premier of Western Australia, John Forrest, also serving as aide-de-camp to the Governor of Western Australia, William Robinson, from 1894 to 1895. North accompanied Forrest to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and represented Western Australia on the committee welcoming the Duke and Duchess of York to Australia for the opening of the first Federal Parliament in Melbourne. In 1902, North was appointed head of the Colonial Secretary's Department, and he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) in the November 1902 Birthday Honours list.
