James Cumming (New Zealand politician)
James Cumming (1879–1971) was a New Zealand trade unionist and politician.
James Cumming MLC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Legislative Council | |
| In office 23 June 1941 – 31 December 1950 | |
| Appointed by | Peter Fraser |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1879 Malvern, New Zealand |
| Died | 1971 New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour |
Biography
Cumming was born in 1879 at Malvern, Canterbury. Cumming was a miner on the West Coast and in the Waikato. He was the chairman of the North Island Miners' District Council. He was an expert in tunneling and worked on the Orongorongo Tunnel to improve Wellington's water supply system.[1][2]
In 1920 he came to Petone, Hutt Valley. He subsequently found employment as a waterfront worker and was the president of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union for two years. Via trade unions he became active in the Labour Party and became president of the Hutt Labour Representation Committee and was also secretary of the Labour Party's Petone branch. In 1930 he was elected a member of the Petone Borough Council.[1]
He was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council from 23 June 1941 to 22 June 1948; and 23 June 1948 to 31 December 1950, when the Council was abolished. He was appointed by the First Labour Government.[3]
Cumming was also a member of the Wellington Harbour Board. He was first elected in 1947 and was to serve as a member for twelve years until 1959 representing Hutt.[4]
Notes
- "Two Labour Stalwarts For Upper House". The Northern Advocate. 25 June 1941. p. 7.
- "Two New Members". The Evening Post. CXXXI (148). 25 June 1941. p. 8.
- Wilson 1984, pp. 162.
- Johnson 1996, pp. 478.
References
- Johnson, David (1996). "Members and Officers of the Wellington Harbour Board, Appendix 1". Wellington Harbour. Wellington Maritime Museum Trust. ISBN 0958349800.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840-1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.