Arthur Osborne (politician)

Arthur Osborne
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Onehunga
In office 15 October 1938 – 15 November 1953
Preceded by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Hugh Watt
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manukau
In office 30 September 1936 – 15 October 1938
Preceded by	Bill Jordan
Succeeded by	seat abolished
Personal details
Born	14 March 1891 Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	15 November 1953 Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	Labour

Arthur George Osborne (14 March 1891 – 15 November 1953) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Biography

Early life and career

Osborne was born in Christchurch in 1891. He lived most of his life in Northcote on the North Shore of Auckland. He first found employment as a boot maker before entering the fruit business.

He was a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Foresters and held the highest office in the order, that of High District Chief Ranger. He likewise became a member of various local school committees.

In his youth he was a keen athlete. He played rugby union, rugby league and soccer at competitive levels. He was later a representative member of the Waitemata Bowling Club, and won several trophies.

Political career

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1936–1938	25th	Manukau			Labour
1938–1943	26th	Onehunga			Labour
1943–1946	27th	Onehunga			Labour
1946–1949	28th	Onehunga			Labour
1949–1951	29th	Onehunga			Labour
1951–1953	30th	Onehunga			Labour

In the 1925, 1928, and 1931 elections, he unsuccessfully contested the Waitemata electorate against the incumbent, Alexander Harris. In the 1935 election, he unsuccessfully contested the Parnell electorate against the incumbent, Bill Endean of the Reform Party.

From 1933 to 1936 he was a member of the Northcote Borough Council. He resigned upon his election to Parliament.

He represented the Manukau electorate from a 1936 by-election (after the resignation of Bill Jordan) to 1938, and then the Onehunga electorate from 1938 to 1953, when he died. He was succeeded in Onehunga by Hugh Watt.

Osborne was Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister from 1943 to 1949. As Under-Secretary he was given responsibilities for the administration of New Zealand's island territories. In 1948 he represented New Zealand at the second session of the Cook Islands Legislative Council, initiating discussions with the island administration on issues of agricultural development, public health and education, leading to their improvement.

Death

In early November 1953, Osborne announced he was not seeking re-election and would retire at the 1954 general election due to ill health. His health had declined through the year and he spent most of October and November confined to his bed. Osborne died at his home in Onehunga on 15 November 1953 after a long illness, aged 62. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and four grandchildren. One son, Gordon Bert Osborne, had predeceased him; he was killed in action at Tobruk during World War II.

References

• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
• Gustafson, Barry (1986). From the Cradle to the Grave: a biography of Michael Joseph Savage. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00138-5.