NATIONAL PARTY BALLOT: REQUEST TO MR. DUDFIELD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22877, 22 February 1949, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY BALLOT: REQUEST TO MR. DUDFIELD

(S.R.) TOKOMARU BAY. Feb. 21. A large and representative deputation of Coast citizens waited on Mr. H. Dudfield in Tokomaru Bay this afternoon with the request that he allow his name to' go forward as a candidate in the National Party’s selection ballot to determine the party’s candidate to contest the Gisborne seat at the forthcoming general election. , The convenor of the meeting, Mr. F. S. Phillips, was voted to the chair and in outlining the purpose of the deputation urged Mr. Dudfield to consider submitting his nomination to the selection ballot. He spoke of Mr. Dudfield's valuable and energetic work as a county councillor, a hospital and harbour board member, and his active participation in public and sporting activities on the Coast. Mr. Phillips said that he was voicing the firm opinion of many hundreds of electors when he said that few people were better qualified in every way to represent the citizens of Gisborne and district in Parliament than was Mr. Dudfield.

Mr. J. Oates said that the call today was for young men in public life. “There are too many old fogies sleeping on comfortable seats in Parliament today,” continued the speaker, who remarked that his association with Mr Dudfield on the Waiapu County Council and Tokomaru Bay Harbour Board had firmly convinced him that Mr. Dudfield’s boundless energy, clear thinking and progressive ideas would prove an invaluable asset to the district and a dynamic force in Parliament.

In supporting the deputation’s request, Mr. L. N. Clarkson spoke of the absolute sincerity and warm friendliness of Mr. Dudfield’s personality which he considered the greatest asset a political aspirant could have.

Mr. A. Morgan said that he had met many candidates for Parliamentary honours during his long life, but none had impressed him more favourably than had Mr. Dudfield.

Similar views were expressed by other members of the deputation. In reply, Mr. Dudfield said that he did not need a deputation to make up his mind on this subject—it was made up on the battlefields of North Africa and he was convinced then, as he was now, that the young men who fought and bled must awaken to their responsi bilities in the post-war world. He offered his humble services and the dedication of his life to the service of his fellowmen.

Whatever was the result of the selection ballot, which he considered the fairest way of chosing a candidate, concluded Mr Dudfield. he would give his loval and utmost support to the chosen candidate and urged all mem bers of the deputation to do likewise

Mr. Dudfield is deputy chairman of the Waiapu Hospital Board, a member of the Waiapu County Council and the Tokomaru Bay Harbour Board, hon. secretary of the Tokomaru Bay Domain Committee and the Tokomaru Bay branch of the National Party. He is the East Coast representative of the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand and is active in many branches of sport.

He was born in Gisborne 36 years ago and served his apprenticeship as a plumber. He was educated in Gisborne, Wellington, arid Canterbury University College. He was prominent in debating in Gisborne, Wellington and Christchurch. has been interested in the W.E.A. movement, and active in repertory circles. He went away in the 2 N.Z.E.F. in March, 1940, as-a gunner, was commissioned in the field, and rose to the rank of captain, returning in 1945 after service in the Pacific. North Africa and Italy. He is employed by the Health Department as an inspector of health.