Bruce Barclay

Bruce Gillespie Barclay (21 October 1922 – 28 June 1979) was a New Zealand politician, being the Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central in the South Island.

Barclay was an active sportsman in his youth and represented South Canterbury in rugby (1942–1944) and tennis in the 1943, 1945, 1946 seasons.

[1] He preferentially kept a low profile in Wellington but was renown for his hard work in his electorate for constituents and was involved in many community and social groups in Christchurch.

When interviewed before the 1978 election Barclay stated his main ambition as local MP was to help develop community spirit through his activity within voluntary groups.

Key to this was decentralising irrigation development away from Wellington by establishing local officials committees to make decisions based on the conditions in the area.

He was also involved in investigating for a new and consistent supply of feedstuffs for the pig and poultry industry after seeing that both were becoming increasingly reliant on grain production which had instable and fluctuating prices.

[10] Barclay had been ill for some months prior to his death where it was reported he was suffering from cancer and had already had two surgical operations.

[1] Rowling relieved Barclay of his portfolios in March 1979 owing to his ongoing illness with Sir Basil Arthur acting as Shadow Minister of Agriculture.