EARLY UNIONIST

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 63, 8 December 1930, Page 12

EARLY UNIONIST

Hon. John Barr Dead LEGISLATOR FOR 23 YEARS After several weeks’ illness the death occurred at Dunedin yesterday of the Hon. John Barr, member of the Legislative Council, reports a Press Association telegram. The late Mr. Barr has been identified with Labour politics most of his life. Born at Paisley, Scotland, in 1867, the late Mr. Barr was educated at the public school at Pollokshaws, near Glasgow. On leaving school he commenced work in a weaving factory, and after three, years’ service he engaged in an industrial dispute, which, although of a very mild character, ended in two of the men losing their employment. The young weaver then entered upon his apprenticeship as a mason wifh Muir and Sons, a well-known firm of Glasgow contractors. After serving his apprenticeship, he crossed the Atlantic, and worked for some time in Victoria, British Columbia. He next visited Northern Alberta, and worked at his trade along the Canadian Pacific railway. Settling down in Winnipeg,, he becajne an member of the Brick-

layers’ and Stonemasons’ Union, and during a slack time in his own trade, worked as a linesman with the telegraph department of the Canadian Pacific Railway. His duties carried him over Manitoba, from Moose Jaw to North Portal, and on to Dakota. Mr. Barr came to New Zealand in 1902, and at once associated himself with labour politics. He became president of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, and took an active part in the work of unionism. He was well read on social and political subjects, and was an earnest, impressive speaker. Mr. Barr was first called to the Legislative Council on January 22, 1907, and was reappointed in 1914, 1921, and 1928. He was appointed Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Council on July 8, 1925.

The death is reported from Dublin, Ireland, of Miss Leila Healey, eldest daughter of Mr. William Francis Healey, of \Vashington Avenue, Brooklyn, Wellington. Miss Healey has been staying with relatives in Ireland for some time, and it was only recently that it became known that she was seriously ill. The late Miss Healey was well known in Wellington.