P. H. Matthews
# P. H. Matthews

Pressly Hemingway Matthews (21 February 1903 – 25 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 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 to farm, and formed a branch of Social Credit. He stood in the Buller electorate in the 1957 election and 1960 election, coming third each time; and also stood in the Buller 1962 by-election.

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.

