Pressly Hemingway Matthews (21 February 190325 September 1967) was a New Zealand politician and the second leader (1960–1962) of New Zealand's Social Credit Party.

Biography

He became leader in 1960 for the 1960 general election but the campaign opening was a disaster as he altered his address just before the opening meeting, and three candidates missed the nomination deadline. He was replaced by

Vernon Cracknell Vernon Francis Cracknell (30 May 1912 – 4 June 1989) was a New Zealand politician. He served as the Social Credit Party's third leader (1963–1970). Early life Cracknell was born in Auckland on 30 May 1912. He was educated at Auckland Gram ...

in 1962. Zavos describes Mr Presley (sic) Matthews as ''an obscure (even to Social Crediters) leader''. Matthews had been a broadcasting technician and unionist in Auckland; he was first president (1934) of the Radio Workers Union and worker’s representative on the Arbitration Court. He was also a local activist in Orakei, and had been in the Labour Party for many years until he resigned in 1939. About 1951 he moved to

Tākaka Tākaka is a small town situated at the southeastern end of Golden Bay, at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island, located on the lower reaches of the Tākaka River. State Highway 60 runs through Takaka and follows the river valley b ...

to farm, and formed a branch of Social Credit. He stood in the electorate in the and , coming third each time; and also stood in the Buller . In May 1960 Matthews was elected party leader and his 1960 manifesto proposed policies such as introducing a Bill of Rights to limit the powers of Government, free travel to pensioners on Government-owned services outside of holiday periods, rationalising trading hours and holding a referendum on the liquor licensing debate. He died in Tākaka in 1967, aged 64.

References

*''Who's Who in New Zealand'' (7th edition, 1961) *''Crusade: Social Credit’s drive for power'' by Spiro Zavos, page 81 (1981, INL Print, Lower Hutt) * *''Buller electoral roll'' 1957: Matthews, Pressly Hemingway, Central Takaka, company director. {{DEFAULTSORT:Matthews, P. H. 1903 births 1967 deaths Leaders of political parties in New Zealand New Zealand trade unionists New Zealand farmers Social Credit Party (New Zealand) politicians New Zealand Labour Party politicians Unsuccessful candidates in the 1960 New Zealand general election New Zealand community activists People from Tākaka