George Spooner

George Arthur Spooner (25 May 1906 – 5 May 1975) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

George Spooner
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wanganui
In office 26 November 1960 – 29 November 1969
Preceded by	Joe Cotterill
Succeeded by	Bill Tolhurst
Personal details
Born	25 May 1906 Patea, New Zealand
Died	5 May 1975 Wanganui, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Edith Annie Clarke
Children	3
Profession	Blacksmith

Biography

Early life and career

Spooner was born on 25 May 1906 in Patea, one of six children, to Arthur Frederick (Fred) Spooner and Mary Ann Prouse.[1] He became a blacksmith by trade, working at both the Patea Freezing Works and for the Wanganui Harbour Board. In 1926 he married Edith Annie Clarke with whom he had three children. While working for the Harbour Board, he became the chair of the Harbour Employees Union and the East Town branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. He saw active service overseas during World War II as an anti-aircraft gunner.[2]

Spooner became the secretary of the Wanganui Trades Council, leading him to politics. He became president of the Wanganui Branch of the Labour Party and later the Wanganui Labour Representation Committee.[2]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1960–1963	33rd	Wanganui		Labour
1963–1966	34th	Wanganui		Labour
1966–1969	35th	Wanganui		Labour

He represented the Wanganui electorate from 1960, but was unexpectedly defeated in 1969 by National’s Bill Tolhurst.[3]

During his time as a Member of Parliament he advocated in particular for better quality housing, workers' compensation and social security benefits for his constituents.[4] Spooner twice stood for the vice-presidency of the Labour Party. He gained minimal support with only 6 delegates voting for him in 1969 and 8 in 1970.[5][6]

In 1968 he introduced a bill to the house that would extend the powers of the Office of the Ombudsman to local bodies. The bill was voted down, but a bill in 1975 with the same purpose was eventually passed by the Third Labour Government.[4]

Later life and death

He died in Wanganui on 5 May 1975, aged 69, survived by his wife and children.[4]

Notes

1. Petersen 1971, pp. 312.
2. "Labour to celebrate 100 years". Wanganui Midweek. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
3. Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 236. OCLC 154283103.
4. "Death of a Former MP". The Evening Post. 6 May 1975. p. 14.
5. "Clear Victory as Labour President". The Evening Post. 22 April 1969. p. 14.
6. "First Maori Elected to High Office in Labour Party". The Evening Post. 8 May 1970. p. 8.

References

• Petersen, George Conrad (1971). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1971 (10th ed.). Wellington: A.H & A.W. Reed.