John Mathison

John Mathison (29 September 1901 – 12 October 1982) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was famed for his skills as a chairman and well known for his "unmistakably Scottish" accent, eloquent speeches and dry sense of humour.

Biography Early life and career He was born in Peebles, Scotland, in 1901. He worked as a shop steward for a wool mill where he first became involved in trade unionism, joining the National Union of General Workers. After being laid off from his job he emigrated to New Zealand in 1921. Shortly after arriving he married Agnes Anderson, a fellow Scottish emigrant whom he had met on the voyage.

During the strike Mathison left the tramways and accepted employment, to much criticism, at the Christchurch Star-Sun newspaper where he worked as a publisher for many years. He resigned from his role there upon his election to Parliament. His brother, William Houston Mathison, was elected a member of the city council from 1965 to 1968.

In 1933 he became a member of the Christchurch Transport Board and was a member, over separate spells, for decades.

At the 1957 Labour Party annual conference, Mathison challenged Mick Moohan for the party presidency, but was defeated in the delegate ballot. He also stood for the vice-presidency but was likewise unsuccessful losing to the incumbent, Martyn Finlay.

He was a cabinet minister from 1957 to 1960 in the Second Labour Government. Mathison served as Minister of Transport, Minister of Island Territories, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Civil Aviation.

After retiring from politics he was a board member of the New Zealand Ports Authority for three years. He also became a trustee of the Canterbury Savings Bank and was president of the board for two years.

He died in Christchurch on 12 October 1982, aged 81. He was survived by a son and daughter.