Death Of Mr J. Palmer “Real Loss” To Partv

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 10

Death Of Mr J. Palmer “Real Loss” To Partv

Mr John Palmer, who died on Wednesday, was a prominent member of the Labour Party in Christchurch. He represented it on the Christchurch Transport Board at one time and stood for it at two Parliamentary elections. He was chairman of the Christchurch Labour Representation Commitee, an office he had held for two years. Before that he was secretary of the committee for a number of years. A radio engineer, Mr Palmer worked as a buyer for the electrical department of a retail firm before going into business on his own account. Later, when his interest in politics and his party took up more of his time, Mr Palmer returned to work for a retail shop. He joined the Labour Party many years ago, and was president of its Burwood branch. He became secretary of the Labour Representation Committee in 1957. Mr Palmer's service on the Christchurch Transport Board included a term as chairman.

Mr Palmer stood for the Labour Party in Selwyn at

the 1960 General Election and in 1963 was the party’s candidate in St. Albans. His interest in the Burwood Residents’ Association led to his election as president and to membership of Residents Affiliated, of which he was secretary and later president. He was on the Burwood School Committee and the Burwood Kindergarten Committee for a long time, and also on the local home and school association. Later he joined the Papanui High School board of governors, and then served on the

Christchurch Technical College board. He was a member of the board of managers of the Christchurch Technical Institute. Mr Palmer was also a justice of the peace. He is survived by his wife. Party Tribute “The untimely passing of John Palmer is a real loss to the Labour movement and to the community he served so tirelessly,” said the president of the Labour Party (Mr N. E. Kirk, M.P.) last evening. For many years, he said, Mr Palmer energetically devoted himself to a wide range of activities, which included membership of the executive committee of the New Zealand Labour Party. Mr Palmer was to be a candidate for election to the Christchurch City Council later this year. “Never one to seek the limelight, he worked quietly and well in a wide range of good works, probably to the detriment of his health,” Mr Kirk said. “We in the movement have lost a good friend and valued colleague, and the community a dedicated servant. At this sad time we extend to his wife and many friends our sincere sympathy in this sad bereavement.”