Robert Macfarlane (New Zealand politician)

Sir Robert Mafeking Macfarlane KCMG (né Haynes, 17 May 1900 – 2 December 1981) 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.

The Honourable Sir Robert Macfarlane KCMG
Robert Macfarlane in ca 1951
14th Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office 21 January 1958 – 28 October 1960
Prime Minister	Walter Nash
Preceded by	Matthew Oram
Succeeded by	Ronald Algie
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch South
In office 3 June 1939 – 27 November 1946
Preceded by	Ted Howard
Succeeded by	electorate abolished
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch Central
In office 27 November 1946 – 29 November 1969
Preceded by	new electorate
Succeeded by	Bruce Barclay
37th Mayor of Christchurch
In office 11 May 1938 – 17 May 1941
Preceded by	John Beanland
Succeeded by	Ernest Andrews
In office 18 November 1950 – 17 May 1958
Preceded by	Ernest Andrews
Succeeded by	George Manning
Personal details
Born	Robert Mafeking Haynes (1900-05-17)17 May 1900 Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	2 December 1981(1981-12-02) (aged 81)
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Louisa Jacobs ( m. 1932)

Early life

Macfarlane was born in Christchurch on 17 May 1900, the son of Emma Rose King Haynes.[1] In 1904, he took the surname Macfarlane after his mother married Hugh Macfarlane, a labourer.[1] 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] He was at various times a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board.[1]

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
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.

From May 1947 until September 1947 he was the Labour Party's junior whip. He was subsequently Labour's senior whip from September 1947 until June 1951.[4]

Speaker of the House of Representatives

He was the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 1958 to 1960.[5]

Under Arnold Nordmeyer, and more particularly, Norman Kirk Labour wanted to modernise itself and Macfarlane was among several MPs who became increasingly pressured to retire. In defiance of this he was re-nominated again by local members for the 1966 general election, his nomination was queried by head office.[6] He was allowed to stand again on the stipulation that he would not stand at the 1969 general election.[7]

Honours

In the 1954 Queen's Birthday Honours, Macfarlane was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George,[8] and in the 1974 New Year Honours he was elevated to Knight Commander of the same order.[9] In the 1985 New Year Honours, his wife, Louisa, Lady Macfarlane, was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for community service.[10]

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.

Notes

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. Wilson 1985, pp. 281. sfn error: no target: CITEREFWilson1985 (help)
5. Parliamentary Debates, Volume 443 p.136. Retrieved 12 May 2011
6. "To Plead Case of Labour M.P.". The Evening Post. 3 May 1966. p. 12.
7. "Mr. Macfarlane Nominated to Stand Again". The Evening Post. 7 May 1966. p. 22.
8. "No. 40190". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 10 June 1954. p. 3299.
9. "No. 46163". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 1 January 1974. p. 35.
10. "No. 49970". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1984. p. 2.

References

• Who's Who in New Zealand, 10th Edition 1971

External links

• Biography with photo at Trade Union website

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Ted Howard	Member of Parliament for Christchurch South 1939–1946	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central 1946–1969	Succeeded by Bruce Barclay
Political offices
Preceded by John Beanland	Mayor of Christchurch 1938–1941 1950–1958	Succeeded by Ernest Andrews
Preceded by Ernest Andrews		Succeeded by George Manning
Preceded by Matthew Oram	Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives 1958–1960	Succeeded by Ronald Algie
Preceded by Harold Smith	Deputy-Mayor of Christchurch 1971–1974	Succeeded by Peter Skellerup
Party political offices
Preceded by Arthur Shapton Richards	Senior Whip of the Labour Party 1947–1951	Succeeded by Phil Connolly