Background
O'Brien was born in 1874 at Forest Creek, near Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia.
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James O'Brien
Edit Profilepolitician Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives
Career
He was christened Peter James, but his first name was never used. Many knew him as Jim or Briney. After having worked as a miner in various Australian states, O'Brien emigrated to New Zealand in 1904 and found employment as a coalminer in Reefton.
He became president of the Westland Certificated Engine-drivers' and Firemen's Union, and was the president of the Runanga Co-operative Society. In 1913, he supported Paddy Webb's successful by-election campaign in the Grey electorate for the Social Democratic Party, and later became the president of the Runanga branch of the party. He represented the Westland electorate in Parliament from the 1922 election, when he defeated Tom Seddon.
He was a Minister in the First Labour Government. He was Minister of Transport (9 December 1942 – 28 September 1947), Minister of Marine (9 December 1942 – 28 September 1947), Minister of Labour (27 June 1946 – 19 December 1946) and Minister of Mines (27 June 1946 – 19 December 1946). In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.
O'Brien married Kate Teresa Flaherty on 29 June 1909 in Greymouth. He died in Wellington on 28 September 1947.
Achievements
Politics
O'Brien became active in the socialist circles that developed on the West Coast. Standing on a socialist ticket, he was voted onto the inaugural Runanga Borough Council in 1912.
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Born
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Died
September 28, 1947 (aged 73) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Ethnicity
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Political Party
New Zealand Labour Party