Name Clifton Webb | ||
Sir Thomas Clifton Webb (8 March 1889 – 6 February 1962), known as Clifton Webb, was a New Zealand politician and diplomat.
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Early life
He was born in Te Kopuru in the Kaipara District, studied at Auckland University College, and practised law in Dargaville. He was in the army from 1917–1919, then returned to his practice in Dargaville and was a borough councillor there from 1921–1923. He moved to Auckland in 1927 and established a new law firm there.
Member of Parliament
He sat in Parliament from 1943 until 1954: first as an Independent National MP for Kaipara (1943–1946) and then as the National Party MP for Rodney (1946–1954). A key aide to party leader Sidney Holland, he was appointed to Attorney-General upon National gaining power in 1949. As Minister of Justice, he was responsible for drafting the legislation that resulted in the abolition of the Legislative Council.
In 1951, he took his first step into diplomacy by adding Minister for External Affairs and Minister of Island Territories to his other duties; portfolios which he held from 1951 to 1954. He served as the country's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom between 1955 and 1958. Webb was also appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1956 New Year Honours.