David Seath
David Coutts Seath (31 March 1914 – 18 October 1997) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.
Biography
[edit]| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954–1957 | 31st | Waitomo | National | ||
| 1957–1960 | 32nd | Waitomo | National | ||
| 1960–1963 | 33rd | Waitomo | National | ||
| 1963–1966 | 34th | Waitomo | National | ||
| 1966–1969 | 35th | Waitomo | National | ||
| 1969–1972 | 36th | Waitomo | National | ||
Seath was born in Musselburgh, Scotland. He received his education at Waihi District High School, Waihi School of Mines, and the University of Edinburgh. From 1937, he was a public accountant in Taumarunui. During World War II, he was with the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), and served as Lieutenant Commander with British naval forces.[1]
He was Mayor of Taumarunui from 1953 to 1955.[1] He was elected in the Waitomo electorate in the 1954 election, following the retirement of National Party colleague Walter Broadfoot.[2] In 1960 Seath was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Finance, and held that position from 12 December 1960 to 24 January 1962.[3]
In 1963 Seath was appointed as Minister of Internal Affairs, and held the position from 20 December 1963 to 9 February 1972, when the Marshall Ministry replaced the second Holyoake Ministry.[4][5] He was described as a nervous man easily frightened by Holyoake.[6]
He was a Member of the Executive Council (initially as an Undersecretary) from 24 January 1962 to 9 February 1972.[5] In 1972 Seath was granted the right to retain the title of Honourable for life.[7]
He retired at the 1972 election,[8] and died in Taumarunui in October 1997.
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Gustafson 1986, p. 341.
- ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 185, 233.
- ^ "Appointment of Parliamentary Under-Secretaries" (12 December 1960) 82 The New Zealand Gazette 1943
- ^ "Ministers Appointed" (20 December 1963) 82 The New Zealand Gazette 2077
- ^ a b Wilson 1985, p. 90.
- ^ Bassett 1997, p. 184.
- ^ "Retention of the title 'Honourable'" (15 May 1972) 42 The New Zealand Gazette 1061
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 233.
References
[edit]- 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 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
- Bassett, Michael (1997). The Mother of All Departments:The history of the Department of Internal Affairs. Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-175-1.
- Who’s Who in New Zealand (1968, 9th edition)
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- 1914 births
- 1997 deaths
- New Zealand National Party MPs
- New Zealand accountants
- People from Musselburgh
- Mayors of places in Manawatū-Whanganui
- Scottish emigrants to New Zealand
- Alumni of the University of Edinburgh
- Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- New Zealand military personnel of World War II
- New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates
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- 20th-century New Zealand politicians
- New Zealand National Party politician stubs
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