Allan McCready

Allan McCready QSO (1 September 1916 – 8 August 2003) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

The Honourable Allan McCready QSO
24th Minister of Defence
In office 12 December 1975 – 13 December 1978
Preceded by	Bill Fraser
Succeeded by	Frank Gill
In office 9 February 1972 – 8 December 1972
Preceded by	David Thomson
Succeeded by	Arthur Faulkner
Personal details
Born	1 September 1916 Kawakawa, New Zealand
Died	8 August 2003
Political party	National

Biography

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1960–1963	33rd	Otaki			National
1963–1966	34th	Otaki			National
1966–1969	35th	Otaki			National
1969–1972	36th	Otaki			National
1972–1975	37th	Manawatu			National
1975–1978	38th	Manawatu			National

McCready was born in Kawakawa in 1916,^[1] the son of Alexander McCready. He received his education at Kawakawa District High School. In 1942, McCready married Grace Lorraine Maher, the daughter of Jimmy Maher, later the MP for Otaki. They had one son and one daughter.^[2] In World War II he served in the New Zealand Army for 3½ years.^[2]

He worked for the Post Office Department for ten years. He was then the director of the Wellington Dairy Farmers Co-op, and then director of the Hutt Valley Milk Treatment Corporation, the Featherston Co-op, and finally the Dairy Company Limited. He was vice-president of the Wellington and Hutt Valley A & P Association.^[2]

He stood unsuccessfully for the Heretaunga electorate in 1954 and 1957.^[3] When his father-in-law retired from the Otaki electorate at the 1960 election, McCready succeeded him.^[4] He represented the Otaki electorate until 1972, then the Manawatu electorate from 1972 to 1978, when he retired.^[5]

He was a Cabinet Minister in the Second and Third National Government, including the position of Postmaster-General (1969–1972), Minister of Marine and Fisheries (1969–1972), Minister of Defence (1975–1978), and Minister of Police (1975–1978).^[6]

In the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours, McCready was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.^[7] McCready died on 8 August 2003, aged 86.^[8] He was survived by his wife and children.^[4]

Notes

1. Gustafson 1986, p. 328.
2. Traue 1978, p. 176.
3. Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
4. "Former defence and police minister dies". The New Zealand Herald. 12 August 2003. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
5. Wilson 1985, p. 214.
6. Wilson 1985, pp. 90, 95.
7. "No. 52953". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 13 June 1992. p. 31.
8. "Obituaries — Hon Allan McCready". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 29 August 2015.

References

• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
• Traue, James Edward, ed. (1978). Who's Who in New Zealand (11th ed.). Wellington: Reed.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.

Political offices
Preceded by Jack Scott	Postmaster-General 1969–1972	Succeeded by Bert Walker
Preceded by Mick Connelly	Minister of Police 1975–1978	Succeeded by Frank Gill
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Jimmy Maher	Member of Parliament for Otaki 1960–1972	In abeyance Title next held by Judy Keall
Preceded by Les Gandar	Member of Parliament for Manawatu 1972–1978	Succeeded by Michael Cox