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New Zealand politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bernard Martin (1882 – 19 June 1956) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and one of the party's pioneers.
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 74) Auckland, New Zealand | (aged
Political party | Labour |
Spouse |
Minnie Ellen Fitzgerald
(m. 1909) |
Relations | Mary Martin (daughter) |
Children | 3 |
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]
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]
Martin died on 19 June 1956 in Auckland.[1] He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and five grandchildren.[3]
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