MANAWATU SEAT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 246, 14 September 1935, Page 8

MANAWATU SEAT

AIR AL. H. ORAM ENTERS THE FIELD. AS DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE. As officially announced yesterday, Mr Al. H. Oram, barrister and solicitor, of Palmerston North, has been selected to contest the Alanawatu seat at the forthcoming elections as a Democrat candidate. Born at Christchurch, Mr Oram was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University, graduating from the latter AI.A., LL.B.f with honours in mathematics and mathematic physics. .While at the university lie gained all three distinctions in public speaking—the Joynt Challenge Scroll for among the university colleges of New Zealand, the Plunket Alcdal for oratory, and the Union prize for debating. Since 1912, with the" exception of the war period, he has practised his profession of a barrister and solicitor in Palmerston North.

Since being in practice in this centre Air Oram has actively interested himself in public affairs and has filled a number of positions. He was a borough councillor for seven years, the initial chairman of the Y.M.C.A., one of the founders of the Citizens Luncheon Club, a member of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, and president of the Chamber of Commerce, in addition to occupying official positions in local societies. Since 1914 Air Oram has owned various farms in the district and has a first-hand knowledge of the difficulties and problems of the dairy farmer, while as president of the Chamber of Commerce he always worked to bring about a better understanding between town anil country. After a recent trip to the Old Country Air Oram criticised marketing methods and the handling of the dairy industry by the Dairy Board, and urged the setting up ot a Royal Commission to investigate tlie position. Ah- Oram is at present a member ot the Wanganui Education Board, a position that ho has filled for the past seven years, and a member of the High Schools’ Board of Governors and Technical High School Committee. He has actively interested himself in the establishment and encouragement of aviation here.