SUDDEN DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23481, 19 October 1939, Page 13

SUDDEN DEATH

MR. J. S. DICKSON

FORMER M.P. FOR PARNELL LONG POLITICAL SERVICE MANY PUBLIC ACTIVITIES The death occurred suddenly yesterday morning of Mr. James Samuel Dickson, of Buckland's Beach, formerly for 17 years M.P/ for Parncll. Mr. Dickson was visiting his service station in Pitt Street when he collapsed. An ambulance was summoned, but when it arrived life was extinct.

Over a long period Mr. Dickson was connected with many. Auckland public activities. Born at Belfast in 1870, he came to New Zealand at the age of 17. He was employed at first by Smith and Caughev, Limited, and was then for many years manager of George Fowlds, Limited, later entering business. 011 his own account as a mercer and men's outfitter in the Imperial Hotel building at the corner of Queen and Fort Streets.

Chief Reform Whip

Mainly, 011 account of his interest in all forms of sport and his work on local bodies, Mr. Dickson was induced in 1911 to contest the Parnell seat in the Reform interest against the late Sir John Findlay, who had come from Wellington in an attempt to retain it for the Liberal Party. Mr. Dickson was successful, and was returned by increasing majorities until 1928. when he was defeated by Mr. 11. R. Jenkins, a supporter of Sir Joseph Ward's newlyformed United Party.

From 1919 to 1928 Mr. Dickson rendered notable service as chief Reform Party Whip, an office for which ho was temperamentally very well suited. He earned the gratitude of his party especially in the difficult period after the 1922 election when the Massey Government retained office only by the support of three Independent members and the utmost vigilance was required of the Whips before every division. For five years he was chairman of the Railways Committee of the House of Representatives, and also served for a time as chairman of the Labour Bills Committee. With the present Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, he represented New Zealand at a conference of the Empire Parliamentary Union in Australia. Service on Local Bodies Mr. Dickson was a former member of the Auckland City Council, the Auckland Hospital Board and the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board. He served for 15 years on the former Remuera Road Board, including five years as chairman, and for a long period on the Manukau County Council. He took a particular._ interest in League football from the introduction of the code into New Zealand, and was a former president of the New Zealand Northern Union League and a life member of the Auckland Rugby League. He was connected with friendly societies for more than half a century. On entering Parliament Mr. Dickson closed his Queen Street business, and in 1928 he acquired an interest in a service station at the junction of Pitt and Vincent Streets. He is survived by two sons and a daughter. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr. Dickson was passed at last night's meeting of the One Tree Hill Borough Council, The Mayor. Mr. I. .T. Goldstine, referred to Mr. Dickson's work as member for Parnell when the electorate included the borough, and as chairman of the Remuera Road Board.