16 Facts About Robert McKeen

Robert McKeen was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Robert McKeen was born in 1884 in Edinburgh and received his education in West Calder, West Lothian, Scotland.

Robert McKeen emigrated to New Zealand in 1909, and worked in coal mines on the West Coast before moving to Wellington, and a grocery store.

Robert McKeen first stood for the House of Representatives in the 1922 election and was successful.

Robert McKeen was the Member of Parliament for Wellington South from 1922 to 1946, then Island Bay from 1946 to 1954, when he retired.

Robert McKeen was Labour's junior whip in 1935 and 1936, and its senior whip in 1937 and 1938.

Robert McKeen was Chairman of Committees from 1939 to 1946.

Robert McKeen was on the Wellington City Council for 18 years, and the Wellington Harbour Board for nine years.

Robert McKeen stood for the Wellington mayoralty and the Council in 1941, but was defeated by the incumbent Thomas Hislop in a swing against Labour.

Robert McKeen lost his seat on the council, although he was the highest polling candidate not elected, and in 1938 he had been the second highest-polling candidate elected.

Robert McKeen was later appointed to fill the vacancy on the council in 1942 caused by Len McKenzie's death.

Robert McKeen was Mayor of Otaki for six years in the 1950s.

In 1935, Robert McKeen was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.

Robert McKeen was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services in public affairs as a trade unionist, Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Robert McKeen married Jessie Russell, the daughter of Robert Russell.

Robert McKeen died in Otaki on 5 August 1974, and was buried at the Kelvin Grove Cemetery in Palmerston North.