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Lee, John Alexander

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1891 - 1982

Biography

Dunedin-born into poverty, John A. Lee became a drifter and petty criminal. He had a distinguished war record, and on his return to New Zealand in 1919 became a member of the Labour Party. From 1922-1928 he became M.P. for Auckland East. In 1931 he was returned as M.P. for Grey Lynn. In 1935 New Zealand's first Labour Government was elected. In 1940 Lee was expelled from the Party for his virulent attacks on the dying Michael Joseph Savage. He then formed the Democratic Labour Party, but his autocratic manner made this very short-lived. He became a bookseller, and was also a writer and journalist, keen to give his version of events.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

John Alexander Lee papers

 Collection
Identifier: CCL Archive 0629
Scope and Contents

The papers of John Alexander Lee include four pamphlets and a parliamentary letter. The pamphlets include I Fight for New Zealand, Manufacture or Perish and Expelled from the Labour Party for Telling the Truth. Also includes a broadsheet titled No More Public Debt for War or Peace.

Dates: 1940