Jack Williams (New Zealand politician)
John Henry (Jack) Williams (21 December 1918 – 12 December 1975) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.
Jack Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wairarapa | |
| In office 29 November 1969 – 29 November 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Haddon Donald |
| Succeeded by | Ben Couch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Henry Williams 21 December 1918 Lawrence, New Zealand |
| Died | 12 December 1975 (aged 56) Masterton, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour |
Biography
Early life
Williams was born in Lawrence, Otago on 21 December 1918. His family moved north and he was educated at Kurow. Upon completing his education he moved to the Wairarapa region and took up farming in the town of Bideford.[1]
Political career
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1969–1972 | 36th | Wairarapa | Labour | |
| 1972–1975 | 37th | Wairarapa | Labour | |
Williams stood unsuccessfully for the Labour Party in the 1963 election and 1966 election for the marginal Wairarapa seat.
In the 1969 election and 1972 election he was successful, and he represented the Wairarapa electorate from 1969 to 1975. But in the 1975 election he was defeated by Ben Couch.[2] During the middle of the 1975 election campaign he was admitted to hospital with a serious heart condition, leaving him little opportunity to campaign.[1]
In 1974 he stood unsuccessfully for the role of Labour's junior whip. His majority in 1969 was 467 votes, and in 1972 was 1,086 votes.[3]
He was also for many years a member of the Masterton Licensing Trust, who instructed hotels to close early on the day of his funeral as a mark of respect.[1]
Death
He died shortly after the election, aged 56 years.[1] A notification of Williams' death was the first message Bill Rowling received after moving in to the office of Leader of the Opposition.[4]
References
- "Former MP Dies". The Evening Post. 12 December 1975. p. 22.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 245. OCLC 154283103.
- Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
- "Mr Rowling's Tribute to Mr Williams". The Evening Post. 13 December 1975. p. 2.
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Haddon Donald |
Member of Parliament for Wairarapa 1969–1975 |
Succeeded by Ben Couch |