12 Facts About Moses Ayrton

Moses Ayrton was a New Zealand Methodist minister and socialist.

Moses Ayrton was born in Yeadon, Yorkshire, England on 15 July 1878.

Moses Ayrton's parents were Moses Airton, who was a woolen waste dealer, and his wife Martha Chappell.

Moses Ayrton became politically minded and joined the Independent Labour Party which reflected his Christian beliefs, compassion and social conscience.

Moses Ayrton emigrated to New Zealand in 1908 and from 1910 to 1919 served as a missionary in North Taranaki, Tauranga, Greymouth, Runanga, Denniston.

Whilst in Runanga Moses Ayrton was elected to the Runanga Borough Council and the Grey Hospital Board as a Labour member.

Moses Ayrton was a member of the local Social Democratic Party executive and would represent it at national conferences.

Moses Ayrton was an unsuccessful Labour Party candidate in the Palmerston electorate in the 1919 election where he came runner up.

Moses Ayrton later served as the Labour Party's secretary from 1920 until 1922.

Moses Ayrton retired from the church in 1945, but still continued to perform some ministerial duties.

Moses Ayrton married Grace Pinfold, at Wellington on 10 June 1948.

Moses Ayrton was survived by his second wife Grace and his children.