Marshall, Sir John (Jack) (1912-1988), served as prime minister of New Zealand for 10 months in 1972. He was a member of the New Zealand National Party, a conservative political party. The National Party has traditionally favored free enterprise, a system that allows people to carry out most economic activities free from government control.
Marshall was a leading figure in New Zealand’s Parliament for nearly 30 years. He was a strong diplomat, negotiator, and administrator. A quiet politician dubbed “Gentleman Jack,” he often conflicted with the more aggressive political personalities of his era. Marshall believed in a philosophy of individual liberty and enterprise, as well as social justice and responsibility.
Early life and family
John Ross Marshall, usually called Jack, was born on March 5, 1912, in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. He was the son of Scottish immigrant Allan Marshall, a clerk, and Florence May Ross Marshall, whose family was also from Scotland. Young Jack attended Whangarei High School and Otago Boys’ High School. He studied law and later political science at Victoria University College (now Victoria University of Wellington). While studying law, he worked as a law clerk at the firm of Luke, Cunningham & Clere. After completing his law studies, he worked at the office of the solicitor of the Wellington City Council from 1936 to 1939. 
In March 1939, Marshall began a lengthy tour of Europe. He spent much of August 1939 in Nazi Germany. He left just before the outbreak of World War II (1939-1945) in early September. After returning home, Marshall entered the New Zealand Army in April 1941. He served as an officer in the Pacific Islands. During 1943, he spent five months at a United States Marine Corps staff school in Virginia. Marshall commanded a cavalry unit in the last weeks of the war in northern Italy. After the war, Marshall left the Army with the rank of major. He returned to Wellington, where he set up a law practice.
On July 29, 1944, Marshall married Jessie Margaret Livingston (1917-2004), a nurse. The couple had met in Perth, in Western Australia, several years earlier. They had four children. John Livingston was born in 1946; Allan (Andy) Ross was born in 1948; Elizabeth Jean was born in 1950; and Margaret Anne was born in 1952.
Political career
Marshall joined the National Party and in November 1946 was elected to represent Mount Victoria, a Wellington suburb, in New Zealand’s Parliament. In 1954, the Mount Victoria electorate (voting district) was abolished. Marshall then won the seat representing Karori, a nearby Wellington suburb.
Cabinet member.
After the National Party’s victory in the 1949 general election, Marshall became minister in charge of housing. After the 1951 election, he became minister of health. After the 1954 election, Marshall became minister of justice and attorney general. In these positions, he opposed the movement to abolish capital punishment (the death penalty). The last execution in New Zealand took place in 1957, during Marshall’s time in office. That year, Marshall played a leading role in the establishment of New Zealand’s Court of Appeal and became deputy leader of the National Party after Keith Holyoake took over as prime minister in September.
Back in office in 1960 after three years in opposition, Marshall worked to promote business and trade. He helped develop the New Zealand-Australia Free Trade Agreement in 1965, which reduced trade barriers between the two countries. Marshall sought to further develop New Zealand’s agricultural and industrial production. He helped establish New Zealand Steel, which became a major local steel producer. He also set up a number of boards and conferences to promote greater exporting and the establishment of new markets.
In 1964, Marshall suffered a nearly fatal heart attack while traveling in Tehran, Iran. After his recovery, he slowed his work pace. He avoided becoming overly tired or stressed. This caution added to his reputation for calmness.
New Zealand’s exports to the United Kingdom became threatened when the British sought membership in the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC was a partnership that worked to protect the economic interests of its member nations. New Zealanders were concerned that joining the EEC would force the United Kingdom to impose additional tariffs on goods imported from New Zealand. The United Kingdom joined the EEC in 1971, but Marshall managed to negotiate a deal to protect New Zealand’s interests. The United Kingdom would still accept an annual quota of New Zealand’s butter, cheese, and lamb. The arrangement prevented an economic disaster in New Zealand.
In December 1971, Marshall introduced the bill that became the Accident Compensation Act 1972. The act provided for compensation (payment) to all employed persons who were injured in an accident, no matter the cause.
Prime minister.
The National Party’s Keith Holyoake had been prime minister since 1960, but his popularity had slipped by the early 1970’s. He stepped down on Feb. 7, 1972. Marshall beat out Robert Muldoon to become the party’s new leader and the prime minister of New Zealand. Muldoon, an outspoken rival to Marshall, became his deputy.
Marshall made changes to the Cabinet and tried to create a fresh image for the National Party government. However, New Zealand’s voters had grown tired of the National Party. In the November 1972 election, the Labour Party swept into office. Labour’s Norman Kirk became prime minister on December 8.
Retirement.
On July 4, 1974, Marshall resigned as National Party leader, and Muldoon replaced him. In September, Elizabeth II, queen of New Zealand and the United Kingdom, knighted Marshall, and he became Sir John Marshall. He retired from politics in 1975.
Later years
After his retirement, Marshall still voiced his opinions. He often criticized the actions of Muldoon, who served as prime minister from 1975 to 1984. Marshall became a partner at the law firm of Buddle, Anderson, and Kent in Wellington. He also joined the boards of several businesses and became actively involved in Christian groups and community organizations. Marshall wrote two volumes of memoirs. He also wrote a series of children’s books, beginning with The Adventures of Dr. Duffer (1978).
Marshall died of a heart attack on Aug. 30, 1988, in Snape, Suffolk, England. He was on his way to Hungary for a conference of the United Bible Societies, a religious organization.
See also Muldoon, Sir Robert David .
