Summary
Daniel Johnston Riddiford MC (11 March 1914 – 26 October 1974) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.
Dan Riddiford | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wellington Central | |
| In office 26 November 1960 – 25 November 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Kitts |
| Succeeded by | Ken Comber |
| 21st Attorney-General of New Zealand | |
| In office 2 February 1971 – 9 February 1972 | |
| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Jack Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Roy Jack |
| 34th Minister of Justice | |
| In office 22 December 1969 – 9 February 1972 | |
| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Ralph Hanan |
| Succeeded by | Roy Jack |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 March 1914 Featherston, New Zealand |
| Died | 26 October 1974 (aged 60) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Biography edit
Early life edit
Riddiford was born in Featherston in 1914 a grandson of "King" Riddiford and Sydney Johnston of Oruawharo. He was educated in the UK at Downside School, Somerset, and New College, Oxford. He gained an MA in Modern Greats from Oxford, and also an LLB from the University of New Zealand. From 1932 to 1937, he farmed in the Wairarapa on family-owned land.[1]
For a number of years Riddiford was also a director of The Dominion newspaper (now The Dominion Post).[2]
Military service edit
He joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1939 and was an officer with the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery. He was a prisoner of war in Italy from 1941 until his escape in 1943.[1] He was awarded the MC in World War II.[2] From 1946, he had a law practice in Wellington.[1]
Political career edit
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960–1963 | 33rd | Wellington Central | National | ||
| 1963–1966 | 34th | Wellington Central | National | ||
| 1966–1969 | 35th | Wellington Central | National | ||
| 1969–1972 | 36th | Wellington Central | National | ||
Riddiford contested the Petone electorate in the 1957 election,[1] but was beaten by the incumbent, Labour's Michael Moohan.[3] In the 1960 election, he stood in the Wellington Central electorate and defeated the incumbent, Labour's Frank Kitts.[4] Riddiford's win in Wellington Central was considered a surprise as the electorate had been held by Labour for the previous 42 years as well as Riddiford's rather aristocratic manner of campaigning which many thought unsuitable within an urban liberal electorate.[5] In 1970 he suffered a heart attack. Riddiford would remain in Parliament until 1972, when he retired and succeeded by Ken Comber.[6] Under Keith Holyoake, he was Minister of Justice (1969–1972) and Attorney-General (1971–1972).[7]
Family edit
He married his wife, Yvonne Ada Westmacott, in 1952.[8] Earle Riddiford a notable New Zealand mountaineer and a lawyer was also a cousin.
Notes edit
- ^ a b c d Gustafson 1986, p. 339.
- ^ a b Riddiford 2004.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 221.
- ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 211, 231.
- ^ Gustafson 1986, pp. 84–5.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 231.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 90.
- ^ "Riddiford, Yvonne Ada, 1925-". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
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.
- Riddiford, Daniel (2004). Yvonne Riddiford (ed.). Committed to Escape: A New Zealand Soldier's Story. Martinborough: Ruamahanga Press. ISBN 978-0-476-01065-9.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.