Norman Shelton

Shelton was born on 27 June 1905 in Taihape and was subsequently educated at Fielding Technical School. He then entered the employment of Hodder and Tolley Ltd in 1920 as a salesman. In 1934 he was appointed manager of the company's Marton branch which he held until 1954 when he resigned.[1] In 1935 he married Dorothy Mamie Stevens.

During World War II he was an artillery gunner and posted to the Pacific, Egypt and Italy from 1943 to 1944.[1]

After returning from the war Shelton was president and treasurer of the Marton A & P Association as well as secretary of the Rangitikei Potato Growers Association.[1]

He was a member of the National Party and was chairman of the party's Rangitikei electorate committee from 1951 until 1954.[1] He then represented the Rangitikei electorate from 1954 to 1972, when he retired.[2]

He was a Cabinet Minister, including Minister of Health and Minister of Minister of Social Security 1960–1962; Minister of Customs, 1962–1969; Minister of Industries and Commerce, and Minister of Mines, 1969–1972.[3] Prime Minister Keith Holyoake was unsure as to Shelton's inclusion into cabinet after National's win in 1960. Deputy Prime Minister Jack Marshall was convinced of Shelton's administrative ability and ensured Holyoake gave him a place in cabinet.[4]

He was described by contemporaries as the best minister in the Holyoake cabinet.[5] A man of undoubted ability, he lacked the charisma and ambition to pursue the leadership of the party and by 1970 he was suffering ill-health due to a gall bladder ailment which induced him to retire.[6]

In the 1973 Queen's Birthday Honours, Shelton was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for public services.[2][7]

He died in 1980.[2]