Bernard Martin (New Zealand politician)

Bernard Martin
17th Speaker of the Legislative Council
In office
29 June 1948 – 8 March 1950
Preceded byMark Fagan
Succeeded byThomas Otto Bishop
Personal details
Born1882
England
Died19 June 1956(1956-06-19) (aged 74)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyLabour
Spouse
Minnie Ellen Fitzgerald
(m. 1909)
RelationsMary Martin (daughter)
Children3

Bernard Martin (1882 – 19 June 1956) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and one of the party's pioneers.

Biography

Early life and career

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

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

Martin died on 19 June 1956 in Auckland.[1] He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and five grandchildren.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Gustafson 1980, pp. 161.
  2. ^ a b c d Gustafson 1986, pp. 289.
  3. ^ a b c "Pioneer of Labour Party – Mr. B. Martin Dies". The New Zealand Herald. 21 June 1956. p. 12.
  4. ^ ""Key" Positions". Auckland Star. Vol. LXVI, no. 115. 17 May 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  5. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 158.
  6. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 169.
  7. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 168.

References