Charles Wilson (New Zealand Reform Party politician)

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1911–1914 18th Taumarunui Reform

Charles Kendall Wilson (1862 – 19 November 1934) was a Reform Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

He was born in Sydney, Australia and came to New Zealand aged 16 with his parents.[1][2][3][4]

He was elected to the Taumarunui electorate in the 1911 general election, but was defeated in 1914.[5]

His widow Helen Wilson wrote a highly regarded autobiography in which she recalls the bidding by the liquor trade for him to vote against or even just abstain on a 1910 bill which provided that only a 55-45 percent majority of the vote would be needed to bring in Prohibition. The Trade offered to pay his election expenses, and rose to expenses plus eight hundred pounds, but then they found cheaper support. She said: my husband was incorruptible.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary". The Evening Post. 19 November 1934 – via Papers Past.
  2. ^ "Obituary". Horowhenua Chronicle. 19 November 1934 – via Papers Past.
  3. ^ "Obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 20 November 1934 – via Papers Past.
  4. ^ "Obituary". Northern Advocate. 22 November 1934 – via Papers Past.
  5. ^ Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer. p. 148.
  6. ^ Wilson, Helen (1955). My first eighty years. Hamilton: Paul's Book Arcade.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Taumarunui
1911–1914
Succeeded by
William Jennings