HON. JOHN BABE

WELL-KNOWN LEGISLATOR

The death of the Hon. John Barr, M.L.C., at Dunedin yesterday removes a well-known figure from the Legislature. Mr. Barr had been a prominent member of the Legislative Council since 1007, and in later years he had ■ occupied with distinction the office of Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker. He attended the opening of ' Parliament last June, but within a few days ho became seriously ill, and was unable to occupy his seat for the remainder of the session. Born at Paisley, Scotland, in 1867, Mr. Barr was educated at a public school at Pollokshaws, near Glasgow. His first occupation in life was employment in a weaving factory in Glasgow. Becoming dissatisfied with the prospects of the cloth trade, however, he relinquished that pursuit, and became apprenticed to a Glasgow stonemasonry | firm. Early in manhood, he emigrated | to America, and spent some time in Canada, the United States, and British Columbia. In 1902 he came to New j Zealand, landing at Lyttelton, and j thenceforward made his home in Canterbury. His first employment in the Dominion was in the service of a firm which was engaged in making additions to the Christchurch Cathedral, and he continued working at his trade until he was called to the Upper House. Mr. Barr was an active member of the labour organisations of his day, and j for a time acting-president of the! Christchurch Trades and Labour Coun-1 cil. For some time he was a member of the Sumncr Borough Council, and chairman of its works and other committees, while he was also chairman of the Bumner School Committee. He was j also chairman of the Christchureh Tramways Board. On his elevation to the Legislative Council ho became a prominent speaker in most of its debates, and was recognised as an authority upon tho labour side of New Zealand politics. From July, 1925, ho occupied the position of Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker of tho Council. In this position ho won the respect of all his associates as a result of his unfailing courtesy, his tact, and his strict impartiality. When the National Industrial Conference wns called in 1928, Mr. Barr was appointed conference manager, and his work on that occasion won unstinted praise from all sides. j