Robert Macfarlane (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable Sir Robert Macfarlane KCMG
Robert Macfarlane in ca 1951
14th Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office 1958–1960
Prime Minister	Walter Nash
Preceded by	Matthew Oram
Succeeded by	Ronald Algie
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch South
In office 1939–1946
Preceded by	Ted Howard
Succeeded by	electorate abolished
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch Central
In office 1946 – 1969
Preceded by	new electorate
Succeeded by	Bruce Barclay
37th Mayor of Christchurch
In office 1938–1941
Preceded by	John Beanland
Succeeded by	Ernest Andrews
In office 1950–1958
Preceded by	Ernest Andrews
Succeeded by	George Manning
Personal details
Born	17 May 1900 Christchurch
Died	2 December 1982 (aged 82)
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Louisa Jacobs (m. 1932)

Sir Robert Mafeking Macfarlane KCMG (17 May 1900 – 2 December 1982) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament, served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was a Mayor of Christchurch.

Early life

Macfarlane was born in Christchurch in 1900. He married Louisa Jacobs in 1932.^[1]

Local body politics

Macfarlane was on the Christchurch City Council (1927-1929, 1936-1941, 1947-1959, and 1961-1981),^[2] and was Mayor of Christchurch twice, from 1938 to 1941 and from 1950 to 1958.^[3]

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1939–1943	26th	Christchurch South		Labour
1943–1946	27th	Christchurch South		Labour
1946–1949	28th	Christchurch Central		Labour
1949–1951	29th	Christchurch Central		Labour
1951–1954	30th	Christchurch Central		Labour
1954–1957	31st	Christchurch Central		Labour
1957–1960	32nd	Christchurch Central		Labour
1960–1963	33rd	Christchurch Central		Labour
1963–1966	34th	Christchurch Central		Labour
1966–1969	35th	Christchurch Central		Labour

Macfarlane entered Parliament in 1939 following a by-election, replacing Ted Howard (although Howard's daughter Mabel Howard had hoped to replace him following his death). He was the Member of Parliament for Christchurch South from 1939 to 1946, then for Christchurch Central from 1946 to 1969, when he retired.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

He was the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 1958 to 1960.^[4]

Honours

In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1954 Macfarlane was appointed as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George^[5] and in the New Year Honours 1974 Macfarlane was promoted to Knight Commander of The Order of St Michael and St George.^[6]

Military service

In World War II he served in the Middle East in the ASC of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force for 2½ years.

References

1. Clark, Kath. "Macfarlane, Robert Mafeking". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
2. "Councillors of the City of Christchurch". Christchurch: Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
3. "Chairmen and mayors". Christchurch: Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
4. Parliamentary Debates, Volume 443 p.136. Retrieved 12 May 2011
5. "Queen's Birthday Honours" (17 June 1954) 37 New Zealand Gazette 1006.
6. "New Year Honours List 1974" (17 January 1974) 2 New Zealand Gazette 68.

External links

• Biography with photo at Trade Union website
• Who’s Who in New Zealand, 10th Edition 1971