Mr Norman Jones Made His Mark In Political Life (Press, 20 November 1987)
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Summary: Mr Norman Jones Made His Mark In Political Life (Press, 20 November 1987)
Norman Jones, a former National member of Parliament for Invercargill, passed away on 19 November 1987 at the age of 64. Jones began his political career when he was first elected to Parliament in 1975, serving for 12 years until his retirement before the last General Election due to an inoperable brain tumour. In his reflections on his time in Parliament, he described it as mostly happy and expressed enjoyment in his work as an outspoken parliamentarian known for enlivening debates. Born in 1923, Jones enlisted in the Army in 1941, serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during World War II. He was wounded in the Libyan desert, resulting in the loss of his right leg, and was invalided home. Following rehabilitation, he trained as a teacher, which was his profession prior to his entry into politics. His commitment to public service was evident, as he served six terms as an Invercargill City Councillor and held the position of Deputy Mayor at one point. Jones was actively involved in sports, representing Southland in men’s hockey, and also participated in amateur boxing. His contributions to community service earned him a Queen’s Service Medal in 1975. During his time in Parliament, he held numerous positions including chairman of the defence and police select and caucus committees, and was a member of various local and education-focused caucus committees. He was known for his vocal opposition to the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, citing a large petition against it as one of his significant achievements. However, he also demonstrated support for more liberal causes, embracing pacifism after his war experiences. This led him to organise a protest march in Invercargill during the Vietnam War. Additionally, he was involved in the Save Manapouri campaign and was a member of the Returned Servicemen’s Association. Jones is survived by his wife Marjory, four daughters, and two sons.
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