Wilfrid Owen

Wilfrid Barry Owen (15 June 1898 – 9 August 1984) was a New Zealand politician and the first leader (1953–1958) of New Zealand's Social Credit Party.

Biography Early life He was born in Wellington, and educated at Christchurch Boys' High School and Nelson College. He was an industrial chemist, and founded his cosmetics and toiletries manufacturing company Wilfrid Owen New Zealand Limited in 1938. He was a resident of Sumner, Christchurch.

In 1924 he married Ethel Amie Gough, with whom he had two children. During World War II he served in the home guard. He had many community interests and was a lifelong member of the Canterbury Jockey Club, the Christchurch Businessman's Club and the Canterbury Officers' Club. Initially he had missed out on election but was eventually declared elected after the counting of special votes. In 1950 he did not stand for re-election.

In the early 1930s he developed an interest in the monetary reform ideas of C. H. Douglas and joined the Social Credit association. He was one of 12 delegates at a summit in 1952 to promote a political wing of the association. At the associations conference in 1953 the formation of a political wing was unanimously supported, albeit reluctantly rather than supporting other parties. He became the leader of Social Credit Party in 1953. Under his leadership Social Credit got a surprising 11% of the party vote in the 1954 general election. Owen stood himself for Social Credit in in the and , coming third with 2,675 and 1,014 votes respectively; and in the .

He rejoined the Social Credit Party and remained a member until he died. He was not made a life member (probably due to his support of O'Brien in the 1970s schism) but was a member of the Lyttelton branch.

Death He died in Princess Margaret Hospital, Christchurch aged 86, survived by his wife and two sons.