Obituary MR W. A. VEITCH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 11

Obituary MR W. A. VEITCH

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan. 2. Mr William Andrew Veitch, a former Minister of Labour, Mines and Transport in the Ward ministry from 1928 to 1930, died at Paraparaumu yesterday. He was also Minister of Railways and Transport in the Forbes ministry from 1930 to 1931. He represented Wanganui continuously in the House of Representatives from 1911 to 1935, and was the last survivor of those who entered Parliament by the second ballot embodying the absolute majority principle, which was in use at the General Elections of 1908 and 1911 and in scleral intervening by-elections. Mr Veitch was born at Port of Menteith, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1870 and was educated by his father who was a school teacher. He spent 22 years in the New Zealand Railways. From an engine driver he rose to the presidency of the Amalgamated Society ot Railway Servants, a position he held for four years from 1908. A Liberal in politics, he took an active part in the formation of the United Party which was in office from 1928 to 1931. In 1943 he unsuccessfully contested the old Wellington suburbs seat as a candidate for the National Party. In Wanganui he was active in local body affairs. For several years he was a member of the Wanganui Harbour Board, and of the Wanganui River Trust and Domain Board. He contested the Wanganui mayoralty unsuccessfully in 1.917. Mr Veitch is survived by three sons and three daughters.