James Roberts (trade unionist)

James Roberts CMG (21 February 1878 – 4 February 1967) was a New Zealand trade unionist, politician and was president of the Labour Party from 1937 to 1950. He was called 'Big Jim' and 'the uncrowned King of New Zealand' in recognition of the considerable influence he wielded during the period of the First Labour Government over policy creation and implementation.

James Roberts
CMG
16th President of the Labour Party
In office
30 March 1937  9 May 1950
Vice PresidentJim Thorn (1937–38)
Jim Barclay (1938–40)
Gervan McMillan (1940–42)
Arnold Nordmeyer (1942–50)
LeaderMichael Joseph Savage†
Peter Fraser
Preceded byClyde Carr
Succeeded byArnold Nordmeyer
Member of the New Zealand Legislative Council
In office
17 June 1947  31 December 1950
Appointed byPeter Fraser
Personal details
Born(1878-02-21)21 February 1878
Lissangle, County Cork, Ireland
Died4 February 1967(1967-02-04) (aged 88)
Porirua, New Zealand
Political partyLabour
Spouse
Lucy Wallace
(m. 1912; died 1944)
Children6
OccupationTrade unionist
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