David Spence Thomson
Encyclopedia
David Spence Thomson, MC
(14 November 1915 - 1999) was a New Zealand
politician of the National Party
.
He was a dairy farmer, born in Stratford
, the son of former Stratford mayor Percy Thomson
.
He represented the seat of Stratford
from 1963
to 1978, and then Taranaki
from 1978
to 1984, when he retired.
He was a cabinet minister, holding the positions of Minister of Defence
, Minister of Justice
, Minister of Labour and Immigration, and Minister of Tourism.
He served in the Army in the Middle East in World War II and was a Prisoner of War in 1942.
He was awarded the Military Cross
(MC) in 1942.
He married June Grace (née
Adams) in April 1942. They had one son and three daughters.
In the post war years he was chairman of the Federated Farmers.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(14 November 1915 - 1999) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician of the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
.
He was a dairy farmer, born in Stratford
Stratford, New Zealand
Stratford is the only town in the central Taranaki district of Stratford District, New Zealand. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, approximately half-way between New Plymouth and Hawera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki region. The town has a population of...
, the son of former Stratford mayor Percy Thomson
Percy Thomson
Percy Thomson MBE was Mayor of Stratford, New Zealand 1929–1933 and again 1938–1947.-Early life:He was born in Dunedin in 1884 and educated in New Zealand and Sydney....
.
He represented the seat of Stratford
Stratford (New Zealand electorate)
Stratford is a former Parliamentary electorate, in Taranaki, New Zealand.-Population centres:The electorate was mixed urban and rural, around the town of Stratford.-History:The electorate existed from 1908 to 1946, and from 1954 to 1978....
from 1963
New Zealand general election, 1963
The 1963 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 34th term. The results were almost identical to those for the previous election, and the governing National Party remained in office....
to 1978, and then Taranaki
Taranaki (New Zealand electorate)
-History:The electorate existed from 1881 to 1928, and from 1978 to 1996. In 1996 it was combined with the adjacent King Country to form the Taranaki-King Country electorate.-Election results:...
from 1978
New Zealand general election, 1978
The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote...
to 1984, when he retired.
He was a cabinet minister, holding the positions of Minister of Defence
Minister of Defence (New Zealand)
The Minister of Defence is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the New Zealand armed forces and the Ministry of Defence.The present Minister is Dr...
, Minister of Justice
Minister of Justice (New Zealand)
The Minister of Justice is a minister in the government of New Zealand. The minister has responsibility for the formulation of justice policy and for the administration of law courts....
, Minister of Labour and Immigration, and Minister of Tourism.
He served in the Army in the Middle East in World War II and was a Prisoner of War in 1942.
He was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(MC) in 1942.
He married June Grace (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Adams) in April 1942. They had one son and three daughters.
In the post war years he was chairman of the Federated Farmers.
Parliamentary career
- 1966-72 Ministry of Defence
- 1966-69 Ministry of Tourism
- 1966-69 Minister Assistant to the Prime Minister
- 1966-69 Ministry in charge of Publicity
- 1966-72 Ministry in charge of War Pensions
- 1966-72 Ministry in charge of Rehabilitation
- 1969-72 Ministry of Police
- 1971-72 Associate Ministry of Labour & Immigration
- 1972 Ministry of Immigration
- 1975-78 Ministry of Justice
- 1980-84 Ministry of Defence