Murdoch Wins National Party Selection Ballot

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1943, Page 2

Murdoch Wins National Party Selection Ballot

Elected by a substantial majority. Mr A. J. Murdoch 'is the Official National Party candidate for Marsden. j This was announced at a meeting iof National Party members last night when the result of a postal ballot was made known, Mr Murdoch having a majority of 184 votes over Mr R. K. Trimmer, the other candidate for selection Mr. Alfred James Murdoch was born st Onehunga in 1877, his father being stationmaster at Hikurangi for a period. A school teacher for many years, he taught at Hikurangi, Mata and Ruakaka. Taking up land at Ruakaka in 1896. he retired from teaching in 1919. He was secretary cf the Waipu Railway League. Mr. Murdoch is a keen all-round sportsman, especially ai cricket and hockey. He first contested Marsden in 1919. winning the seat as a Liberal in 1922. He was defeated in the election of 1925, but in 1928 regained it as a member of the United Party, administering the portfolio of Mines and Agriculture in the Forbes Government. He voluntarily relinquished Cabinet rank to permit formation of the Coalition, and in 1931 became chief Government Whip. In the election of that year he defeated Mr. J. G. Barclay by 2733 votes. In 1935, Mr. Barclay won the sear with a majority of 293, and in 1938, when Mr. Murdoch again was a contestant, by 465 votes. Mr. Murdoch is a member of the New Zealand Dairy Board, which ho has represented in tours overseas, and a life member of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand.