MILLAR, JOHN ANDREW (1855-1915) was born at Jullundur, India, the son of Major-General J. C. Millar, of the Bengal Staff Corps. He was educated in Edinburgh. In 1870 he sailed for New Zealand with the intention of becoming a sheep farmer, but took a liking to the sea and after serving his apprenticeship to Patrick Henderson and Co. he became an officer in the Shaw Savill and Albion Co. (1881). Between that date and 1887 he was engaged in the Home and the New Zealand coastal service both as officer and as captain.

In 1887 he became general secretary of the Federated Seamen's Union. The outbreak of the maritime strike in Australia, and its extension to New Zealand (1890) brought Millar into prominence, and he distinguished himself by the resourceful manner in which he conducted the affairs of the federation throughout the struggle. He was secretary also of the maritime council. In the years following the strike Millar attained some eminence in the labour movement and was instrumental in promoting the Liberal-Labour federation in politics. In 1890 seamen were granted special electoral rights.

Millar opposed James Mills for Chalmers and was defeated by 874 votes to 645. At the following election (1893) he defeated E. G. Allen by 1,748 votes to 1,627. In 1896 he was elected for the City of Dunedin, which he represented till 1905. Thereafter he was member for Dunedin Central (1905-08), and for Dunedin West (1908-14). He did not seek re-election in 1914 but was shortly afterwards called to the Legislative Council (Jun 1915). Millar soon gained a useful mastery of parliamentary procedure, and in 1899 was chairman of the labour bills committee. In 1900 he was a member of the royal commission on federation, and in 1903 was elected chairman of committees. He was not chosen for office under Seddon, but in Ward's reconstruction (1906) he was Minister of Customs, Labour and Marine. In the following year he carried through a tariff bill with considerable ability, and on the retirement of Hall-Jones he assumed responsibility also for the administration of Railways. Millar administered all these portfolios until the Government went out of office (Mar 1912). He was widely favoured as the successor of Ward, and his succession would undoubtedly have influenced the course of events in the following years; but with Mackenzie's accession to office Millar's future was decided, and he remained thereafter a private member until his death (on 15 Oct 1915). He was highly respected and had considerable influence in Liberal politics. In the session of 1908 Millar introduced a bill to establish industrial councils in place of the conciliation boards. He was one of the originators of Labour Day.

N.Z.P.D., 1893-1914 (notably 10 May 1916); Paul; Condliffe; Stewart and Rossignol; Scholefield, N.Z. Evol.; N.Z. Chess Book, 1922; Cycl. N.Z., iv; N.Z. Herald, 20 Oct 1890; Otago Daily Times, 16 Oct 1915.

Reference: Volume 2, page 45

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