17 Facts About Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton was the first non-interim Leader of the National Party during its early years in Opposition.

Adam Hamilton originally trained to become a Presbyterian minister, but later decided not to pursue this course.

Adam Hamilton married Mary Ann McDonald in 1913, and in 1914, he and his brother John Ronald Hamilton started a grain business in Winton.

The brothers then sold their business, although Adam Hamilton remained active in the Southland agricultural sector.

Adam Hamilton retained his seat until his retirement, although his brother was defeated again in 1928.

Adam Hamilton served, at various times, as Minister of Telegraphs, Postmaster General, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Employment.

The Great Depression had resulted in high levels of unemployment, and Adam Hamilton was often criticised for the government's failure to improve the situation.

Adam Hamilton was criticised when the Post and Telegraph Department jammed a broadcast that was expected to be pro-Labour by a private radio station by Colin Scrimgeour just before the 1935 general election.

Adam Hamilton denied knowledge of the jamming, but his reputation was nevertheless damaged.

In 1935, Adam Hamilton was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.

Adam Hamilton was frequently accused by being a puppet of Coates, with suggestions even being made that Hamilton was merely holding the position until Coates built up the strength to take it himself.

Adam Hamilton was not particularly charismatic and did not inspire great loyalty from his colleagues.

Adam Hamilton was closely associated in the public mind with the Depression era.

In 1940, Adam Hamilton suggested that Labour and National should form a wartime coalition, but that was rejected by the Labour leader, Peter Fraser, who agreed to establish a six-person "War Cabinet".

Adam Hamilton remained a part of the War Cabinet and was eventually joined by Holland despite the original claims that a National Party leader could not be in it.

Adam Hamilton did not seek re-election in the 1946 election and chose to retire from politics.

Adam Hamilton died in Invercargill on 29 April 1952 and is buried at Winton Cemetery.