Septimus James Edgar Closey

Septimus James Edgar Closey MC VD (13 October 1892 – 3 November 1981) was a New Zealand soldier, social crediter and politician.

Under his leadership the Farmers' Union passed resolutions on the need for public control of the country's financial system and increased payments to farm workers and the unemployed.

Later that year he gave evidence in support of the social credit system at a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

[1] He stood for the Manawatu electorate for the New Zealand House of Representatives in 1935 where he placed third out of five candidates with Labour's Lorrie Hunter winning.

[3] Following the election Closey tried to build a mutually beneficial relationship between the social credit movement and the Labour Party, writing to the finance minister Walter Nash.

However Closey's intended outcome of a partnership did not eventuate and his goal of a credit authority being established as an independent wing of government was likewise unrealised.

[4] Nevertheless, he co-operated with many Labour MPs to establish affordable housing policies and a system of guaranteed prices for farmers.