SIR ALFRED RANSOM, K.C.M.G.

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 129, 3 June 1935, Page 10

SIR ALFRED RANSOM, K.C.M.G.

The Hon. Sir Alfred Ransom, K.C.MiG., is Acting Prime Minister, Minister "of Lands, Commissioner of State Forests, and Minister in Charge of the Valuation Department. He was born at Lower Hutt in 1868, and was a schoolmate of Sir Thomas Wilford. For the past 55 years he has been closely identified, with Dannevirke, where he entered into business. He is a former Mayor of the town, having occupied that position from 1910 to 1919. He was chairman of the Hawke's Bay War Relief Association (and chairman of the Dannevirke branch), chairman of the Dannevirke Power Board (a position he relinquished upon his elevation to the Ministry), was the first president of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Dannevirke Fire Board, a member of the High School Board, a member of the executive of the Farmers'- Union and the Dannevirke A. and P. Association, besides holding many other positions. As a Liberal;' Sir Alfred was-returned to Parliament for Pahiatua in 1922, and held the' seat under the Nationalist banner from 1925 to 1928, acting as one of the party whips. On the amalgamation of the- Nationalists and the United group he was appointed Deputy Leader of the United Party for the North Island, and at the 1928 General Election was returned to Parliament as the United Party representative for Pahiatua. In the Ward Government, Sir Alfred was Minister of Public Works from December, 1928, to May, 1930, and in the Forbes Government he was appointed Minister of Lands, Minister in Charge.of the Valuation Department, and Commissioner of State Forests. He retained those.positions upon the formation of the Coalition Government in September, 1931. During the absence of the Prime Minister. (Mr. Forbes) at the Imperial Conference, from May, 1930, to January, 1931, Sir Alfred was Acting Prime Minister.and Leader of the House .of Representatives. , Sir i Alfred is regarded as a keen critic, and in politics a fluent speaker. In his private capacity he is engaged in farming pursuits.