William Bodkin (New Zealand politician)

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.

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

Bodkin in 1935.

Biography
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1928–1931 23rd Otago Central United
1931–1935 24th Otago Central United
1935–1936 25th Otago Central United
1936–1938 Changed allegiance to: National
1938–1943 26th Otago Central National
1943–1946 27th Otago Central National
1946–1949 28th Otago Central National
1949–1951 29th Otago Central National
1951–1954 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] and in 1953 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.[7] He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1954.[8]

In 1955, Bodkin was granted the use of the title of "Honourable" for life, having served more than three years as a member of the Executive Council.[9]

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. Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 71. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
  8. "No. 40103". The London Gazette. 16 February 1954. p. 1007.
  9. "No. 40421". The London Gazette. 1 March 1955. p. 1269.

References
  • Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
Political offices
Preceded by
Sydney George Smith		 Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives
1930–1931		 Succeeded by
Sydney George Smith
New Zealand Parliament
In abeyance
Title last held by
Robert Scott		 Member of Parliament for Central Otago
1928–1954		 Succeeded by
John George


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