1. Josiah Ralph Hanan, known as Ralph Hanan, was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.
18 Facts About Ralph Hanan
1. 2.
Ralph Hanan served in World War II and his injuries ultimately caused his death at age 60.
3.
Ralph Hanan is best remembered for the abolition of the death penalty, which had been suspended by the Labour Party, but which National was to reintroduce.
4.
Ralph Hanan received his education from Southland Boys' High School, Waitaki Boys' High School, and the University of Otago, from where he obtained an LLB.
5.
Ralph Hanan returned to Invercargill and practised law from 1935.
6.
Ralph Hanan relinquished the position in 1941 so that he could participate in the war.
7.
Ralph Hanan served with the 20th Canterbury-Otago Battalion in the Middle East and in Italy.
8.
Ralph Hanan was wounded at the outbreak of Minquar Qaim.
9.
Ralph Hanan would have died had it not been for a truck driver who found him unconscious, put him onto the back of the lorry and took him away.
10.
Ralph Hanan had attained the rank of captain during the war.
11.
Ralph Hanan represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament from 1946 to 1969, as had his uncle before him.
12.
Ralph Hanan held positions as Minister of Health, Minister of Immigration, Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Maori Affairs, and Minister of Island Territories.
13.
Ralph Hanan convinced enough of his party colleagues to vote with the opposition and thus abolished the death penalty in New Zealand, which is what he is best remembered for.
14.
In much of his political work, Ralph Hanan was able to read the mood of the public well and he was guided by this.
15.
Ralph Hanan belonged to the powerful inner circle of the Holyoake cabinet.
16.
Ralph Hanan died on 24 July 1969, aged 60, after attending the annual conference of state attorneys general in Brisbane.
17.
Ralph Hanan's wife survived him by almost four decades and died on 26 July 2007; she is buried next to him.
18.
The Niue International Airport is named after Ralph Hanan, having been constructed during his tenure as Minister of Island Affairs.