Robert Macfarlane

Sir Robert Mafeking Macfarlane (né Haynes, 17 May 1900 – 2 December 1981) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament, served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was a Mayor of Christchurch.

Early life Macfarlane was born in Christchurch on 17 May 1900, the son of Emma Rose King Haynes. Born during the Second Boer War, his mother gave him the middle name Mafeking from a town in South Africa that was under siege at the time of his birth. In 1904, he took the surname Macfarlane after his mother married Hugh Macfarlane, a labourer. and was Mayor of Christchurch twice, from 1938 to 1941 and from 1950 to 1958. He was at various times a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board.

Speaker of the House of Representatives He was the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives during the Second Labour Government (1957–60). As the government held a working majority of one careful management was needed in the house to avoid the government losing a division. Macfarlane at times struggled with his hearing, which was known to be poor, which was further impeded when wearing the formal wig inside the chamber. Many MPs, particularly Keith Holyoake the Leader of the Opposition, would take advantage of this and would challenge, ignore and defy his rulings. He was allowed to stand again on the stipulation that he would not stand at the 1969 general election.

Honours and awards In 1953, McCormack was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. In the 1954 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, and in the 1974 New Year Honours he was elevated to Knight Commander of the same order. In the 1985 New Year Honours, his wife, Louisa, Lady Macfarlane, was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for community service.

Military service In World War II he served in the Middle East in the ASC of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force for 2½ years.