author
R. M. (Ronald Macmillan) Algie
1888–1978
A sharp-minded New Zealand lawyer and politician, he moved from the classroom and the courts into public life and became known for clear argument and strong conservative views. He also wrote on public policy, including juvenile delinquency, bringing a legal and practical eye to social questions.
1 Audiobook
Report of the Juvenile Delinquency Committee
by R. M. (Ronald Macmillan) Algie
About the author
Born in Wyndham, Southland, on October 22, 1888, Ronald Macmillan Algie was educated in several New Zealand schools before studying law at Auckland University College, where he completed both an LLB and an LLM. He worked first in legal practice and also taught law, building a reputation as an able speaker and careful thinker.
Algie went on to a long career in New Zealand public life. He served as a member of Parliament, held ministerial office including education, and later became Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 1960s. Sources describe him as a committed conservative and a formidable but courteous debater.
For readers, R. M. Algie is especially linked with writing that reflects his legal background and interest in public affairs. His work on juvenile delinquency shows his concern with social order, education, and the responsibilities of the state, making his writing useful for anyone interested in how law and policy were discussed in mid-20th-century New Zealand.