Bernard Martin (New Zealand politician)

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

The Honourable 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(1956-06-19) (aged 74) Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Minnie Ellen Fitzgerald ​ ​ (m. 1909)​
Relations	Mary Martin (daughter)
Children	3

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. Gustafson 1980, pp. 161.
2. Gustafson 1986, pp. 289.
3. "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

• 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.

Political offices
Preceded by Andrew Entrican	Deputy Mayor of Auckland 1935–1938	Succeeded by George Richardson
Preceded by Josiah Hanan	Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Council 1939–1948	Succeeded by Michael Connelly
Preceded by Mark Fagan	Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council 1948–1950	Succeeded by Thomas Otto Bishop