Obituary Mr A.W. Begg
PA Invercargill Mr Aubrey Wilbert Begg, a dominant force in Southland farming and political circles for more than two decades, has died in Southland Hospital. He was 59. Mr Begg became ill about three months ago and sought leave from his post as president of Federated Farmers Southland branch while he underwent exploratory surgery for what was found to be cancer. His condition did not improve and he was unable to take up the post again. During a varied career Mr Begg was a political aspirant and activist, member of Parliament, farmer, politician, and Federated Farmers leader. But he was always a farmer at heart and happiest when representing farming interests. Mr Begg first stood for Parliament for the Labour Party in Wallace in 1966 against Mr Brian Taiboys. He lost, but he was always remembered warmly. In the largely solid blue town of Drummond, he had seven more votes on election night than Mr Taiboys. In 1969, he stood for Awarua against Mr Hugh Templeton and lost by 906 votes. But in the Labour landslide of 1972, Mr Begg won the seat by more than 700 votes.
He earned respect on both sides of the House for the way he battled through the issues and for his ability to grasp issues far removed from the realm of farming. In 1975, he was swept from office by the National landslide and returned to farming life. Mr Begg had helped revive the dormant Drummond branch of Federated Farmers in 1967 after he had taken part in a campaign against high land values in Southland County.
He enjoyed the association and had risen to executive level before winning Awarua. In 1971 and 1972, he was among the strongest opponents of a scheme to acquire compulsorily the wool clip, a move which the Labour Government supported.
In 1978, he stood for the Invercargill seat as Labour candidate and on election night was 144 votes away from Mr Norman Jones’s total for National. Soon afterwards, Mr Begg felt disenchantment with Labour and broke formal links with the party but remained friends with many of his colleagues throughout New Zealand.
In 1981, he stood as an Independent in Wallace, attracting 2400 votes.
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Press, 10 November 1988, Page 19
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371Obituary Mr A.W. Begg Press, 10 November 1988, Page 19
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