William Bodkin (New Zealand politician)

For the English politician, see William Bodkin (judge).
Bodkin in 1935.

Sir William Alexander Bodkin KCVO (28 April 1883 – 15 June 1964) was a New Zealand politician of the United Party, and from 1936, the National Party.

Biography

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
19281931 23rd Otago Central United
19311935 24th Otago Central United
19351936 25th Otago Central United
19361938 Changed allegiance to: National
19381943 26th Otago Central National
19431946 27th Otago Central National
19461949 28th Otago Central National
19491951 29th Otago Central National
19511954 30th Otago Central National

Early life

Bodkin was born in Queenstown in 1883.[1]

Political career

He represented the rural Otago electorate of Otago Central from 1928 to 1954, when he retired.[2]

He was Chairman of Committees from 1930 to 1931.[3] He was Minister of Civil Defence in the War Administration in 1942.[4] In the Holland Ministry of the First National Government, he was Minister of Internal Affairs (1949–1954) and Minister of Social Security (1950–1954).[5]

In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[6] He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1954.[7]

Notes

  1. Brooking, Tom. "Bodkin, William Alexander". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. Wilson 1985, p. 184.
  3. Wilson 1985, p. 252.
  4. Wilson 1985, p. 85.
  5. Wilson 1985, p. 86.
  6. "Official jubilee medals". The Evening Post. 6 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  7. The London Gazette: no. 40103. p. 1007. 16 February 1954. Retrieved 6 July 2013.

References

Political offices
Preceded by
Sydney George Smith
Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives
19301931
Succeeded by
Sydney George Smith
New Zealand Parliament
In abeyance
Title last held by
Robert Scott
Member of Parliament for Central Otago
19281954
Succeeded by
John George


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