GUTHRIE, DAVID HENRY (1856-1927) was born at Abbeyleix, Queen's County, Ireland, and educated at the diocesan school there and at Kildare Street College, Dublin. He trained as a teacher, and after coming to New Zealand in 1876 was teaching under the Wellington education board for 20 years.

In 1881 he took up land in the Rangitikei district, which he farmed with success. He was a member of the Kiwitea county council, chairman of the Rangiwahia Dairy Co., and a member for 10 years of the Wanganui education board. Guthrie took a leading part in the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and in 1908 won the Oroua seat in Parliament, which he represented till the dissolution of 1925. He retired owing to ill-health and was called to the Legislative Council. He was a supporter of the Reform party and was elected whip in 1911. In 1918 he joined the National ministry as Minister of Lands, and he held that portfolio in the Massey ministry, with the addition of Railways (1922). In 1924 he resigned all departmental administration and remained without portfolio in the Bell and Coates ministries until his death (on 31 Mar 1927). Guthrie's chief task in the ministry was the settlement of returned soldiers upon the land.

N.Z.P.D., 1908-27; Who's Who N.Z., 1924; The Dominion, 1 Apr 1927 (p)

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 185

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