Bernard Martin (New Zealand politician)
Bernard Martin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 17th Speaker of the Legislative Council | |
| In office 29 June 1948 – 8 March 1950 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Fagan |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Otto Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1882 England |
| Died | 19 June 1956 (aged 74) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Minnie Ellen Fitzgerald
(m. 1909) |
| Relations | Mary Martin (daughter) |
| Children | 3 |
Bernard Martin (1882 – 19 June 1956) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and one of the party's pioneers.
Biography
[edit]Early life and career
[edit]Martin was born in England in 1882.[1] He migrated to New Zealand in 1900 and became involved in the local union movement. He first worked in Taranaki in butter factories before moving to Auckland in 1908.[2] He was a founding member of the Workers' Educational Association (WEA).[3]
In 1913 he became secretary of the Auckland Brewery Workers' Union until 1917 when he became secretary of the Coach Workers' Union. He was then elected a member of the first Executive of the Labour Party in 1916 and was president of the party's Eden branch.[3] He was also the President of the Auckland Fabian Club and secretary of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee (1928–29, 1930–34).[2]
Political career
[edit]A frequent candidate in local elections, he was on both the Auckland City Council (1931–33, 1935–38) and the Auckland University Council (1936–56).[2] Between 1935 and 1938 (when Labour held a majority on the Council) Martin served as Deputy-Mayor.[4]
Martin was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council in 1936 and served for two terms until 8 March 1950.[5] He was Chairman of Committees from 1939 to 1948,[6] when he was promoted to Speaker from 1948 to the end of his tenure.[7] Martin was regarded right throughout his career as an excellent chairman.[2]
Death
[edit]Martin died on 19 June 1956 in Auckland.[1] He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and five grandchildren.[3]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Gustafson 1980, pp. 161.
- ^ a b c d Gustafson 1986, pp. 289.
- ^ a b c "Pioneer of Labour Party – Mr. B. Martin Dies". The New Zealand Herald. 21 June 1956. p. 12.
- ^ ""Key" Positions". Auckland Star. Vol. LXVI, no. 115. 17 May 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 158.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 169.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 168.
References
[edit]- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 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.
- Gustafson, Barry (1980). Labour's path to political independence: The Origins and Establishment of the New Zealand Labour Party, 1900–19. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press. ISBN 0-19-647986-X.