MR. R. McKEEN, M.P.

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 11

MR. R. McKEEN, M.P.

HIS yiSIT.TO DUNDEE

PREMIERSHIP TIP "LORD MAYOR OF WELLINGTON" If statements appearing in a recent issue of the "People's Journal," a paper published in Dundee, Scotland, are borne out, then Mr. Robert McKeen, Labour member for Wellington South, who has been visiting his native town after attending the International Labour Conference at Geneva as a New Zealand delegate, is due for very high honour indeed—more, perhaps, than he himself is expecting to receive. At atry rate this is. what the "People's Journal" said of Mr. McKeen on the occasion of bis visit to Dundee: —

A Fife miner, who left the "Kingdom" nearly .'thirty years ago to seek ..his' fortune overseas, may be the next . Premier of New Zealand. ■ Now. a 'prominent -member of the Dominion Parliament, he. is - strongly ."tipped" for. this high office, which would prove" a fitting climax to a career filled jwjth interest and. romance: He is-Mr. Robert McKeen, a mem-. ber:Of a family which has been resident in the Denbeath district for a considerable number of years Before emigrating Mr. McKeen worked as a young man at Earlseat Colliery. Now, between 50 ant! 60, he is enjoying his first return visit to his native :town since he emigrated twenty-seven -years ago. WORLD TOUR. At present he is engaged on a world diplomatic tour, and already has visited Canada, the United States, and latterly Geneva, where he was New Zealand's principal representative at the big international conference dealing with the proposed 40-hour week. Before leaving for home in a few weeks' time Mr. McKeen plans to visit Ireland, where ho is'to see Mr. de Valera, President of- the Irish Free State. Despite the heights to- which he has risen in New Zealand politics and the leading position he occupies today in public affairs in Wellington, the city of his adoption, where he is to be installed as Lord Mayor on his return, Mr.-McKeen is as mode3t and unassuming as ever. "SAME AULD HAD." "The same auld Rab," was the homely but. well-fitting, description of one Denbeath miner who knew him well in the mining days over 30 years ago. Mr. McKeen then resided with his wife and family in Clyde Street. Two of his sisters still reside only a few doors away from his old home—Mrs. T. Halliday at 123 Tay Street and Mrs. W. Grant, 124 Tay Street. Accompanying Mr. McKeen on his tour is his wife, who is also - a Scottish lady, and while in Fife they are staying with Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Among other near relatives in the Denbeath district who have received frequent visits from them is Mrs. Joseph Barrie, a niece of Mr. McKeen and a daughter of Mrs. Grant, who resides in Methil Brae. , . Before leaving for Ireland, the first stage of their journey home, Mr: arid Mrs. McKeen'are'taking the opportunity of visiting other relations.of Mr. McKeen, who reside in different parts of Scotland and England and some of whom he has not met for over 30 ; years. : ■'":- ; -; . .- j :: --.' HIS MOTTO; - This week Mr. and Mrs. McKeen left with Mrs. Grant on a tour of SouthernScotland.; including avisit to the.-Burns coiintry in Ayrshire; Mr. McKeen is a great admirer of the national bard. His own success,' rising gradually step by step, he attributes to "sticking in." This, in fact, has-been his motto' since'he first set foot in New Zealand, and started to "make good" by accepting a job,-bafd work in those days, at one of the gold mines near Wellington. Hard work, however, never deterred this plucky Filer.- Leaving school when'little more than a child he began in the pits, and in a very short time was doing the work" of a man. Even in those early days Mr. McKeen had a bent for education, arid in many respects he is a self-taught man—a fact that makes his achievement's all the more outstanding] All his life he has been a great reader and a keen student of literature, and in political circles in New Zealand he is now ranked as one of the' finest speakers. His services as a lecturer are in demand at gatherings all over the country. FITTING RECEPTION.

In "Wellington, where he is manager of a big grocery concern, he was elected to Parliament 14 years ago, and he has retained his seat at each election with large majorities. Recently he has taken a greater part than ever in political affairs, including his present tour, and in recognition of his services there is a move on foot among his brother M.P.s to raise him to .the highest office, that of Prime Minister, - when next this becomes vacant. / .

In the meantime the residents of Wellington, who rank 'him as one of their most popular townsmen, have taken the opportunity of : recognising his services by nominating him Mayorelect He will be installed to' this office immediately on his return to New Zealand. : -

"We are extremely fond of Wellington and its people," says Mr. McKeen, "although. I must say it is great to be •back again among my own folk in Scotland."