LABOUR VETERAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 192, 28 May 1945, Page 5

LABOUR VETERAN.

DEATH OF MR J. W. MUNRO. (P.A.) DUNEDIN, May 27. The death occurred this evening of Mr James Wright Munro, member of Parliament for Dunedin North, Mr Munro was one of the veterans of the Labour movement, both in and out of Parliament. Only five of the present Parliamentary Labour Party were members of the House of Representatives before his election in 1922. He was defeated at the- 1925 election, but returned to the House in 1928, and has held his seat ever since. Mr Munro was born at Roslyn in 1870 and has been a baker in Dunedin practically all his life. He was president of the Bakers’ Union for several years, vice-president of the Otago Trades Council, first president of the Otago and Southland Woollen Mills Union, and a former president of the Political Labour League. In 1914 and 1919 he contested the Dunedin Central seat in the House of Representatives against Sir Charles Statham. He took a prominent part in local body affairs as a member of the Dunedin City Council and tlie Otago Harbour Board. His principal contribution to the work of Parliament was as chairman of the Local Bills Committee, and for his services in this position lie was often commended by Opposition as well as Government members. He was one of the most popular members of the House.