Son of William J. Higgins, Higgins was educated at St. Bonaventure College and was called to the Bar in January, 1931. In 1946 he was voted by the St. John's East district to become one of the three persons to represent that area at the Newfoundland National Convention. An anti-Confederate, he was sent to Ottawa in June 1947 as part of the group to identify options to join Canada. Unconvinced he advocated for Responsible Government during the referendums of 1948.