The Liberals 1890-1893
Lecture 2 of 148.205 Modern
New Zealand Politics
The December 1890 Election
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The most important election in a
century
Dramatic political debate
The Liberals won in the 4 main
cities and some of the towns
Unclear result but Atkinson
resigned 27 January 1891
The Liberals stayed in power for
the next 21 years!
Who were the Liberals?
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The Liberal Party in England
was formed by Whigs and
Radicals and led by Gladstone
It was a Laissez Faire tradition
emphasising free trade, peace,
reform, battling conservatives
The battle against conservatism
was easily won in New Zealand
New Zealand Liberal values
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Concern to stop runholder
domination
Represented people in towns
Represented the small
businesses
Wanted positive liberalismreform and democracy
Wanted protection not free trade
John Ballance 1839-1893
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Ulsterman and
Birmingham
ironmonger
Came in 1866 to
Wanganui,
newspaper
publisher
Anti-provinces
Freethinker,
democrat
Favoured selfreliance
John McKenzie
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Scottish crofter
Large loudmouthed bully
Minister of
lands,
immigration &
agriculture
Sir Patrick Buckley 1840-1896
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Irish Catholic
Had been
company
secretary for a
BNZ company
Attorney
General and
Colonia
Secretary
William Pember Reeves 18571932
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Young
Christchurch
liberal, with
degree, writer,
lawyer
Saw self as a
Fabian
Minister of
Justice,
Education &
Labour
Sir Joseph Ward
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Young Catholic
draper &
freezing works
owner
dapper
PostmasterGeneral
Richard John Seddon
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Publican from
West Coast
Crude effective
local politician
Alfred Cadman 1847-1905
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From Thames
Minister of
Native Affairs
James Carroll 1857-1926
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Half Maori, half
Irish
Joined ministry in
1892 to represent
Maori race
In 1893 won
European seat
1899 Minister of
Native Affairs
Wanted to
modernise Maori
The Liberal Party
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It was only a party in parliament
No national party structure
Haphazard choice of candidates
with letter of endorsement from
PM
Talk of a liberal federation,
incorporating various groups,
led by T L Buick
Battle with the Governor
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Atkinson had asked the Governor,
Lord Onslow, to appoint 7 members
of the Legislative Council
It was impossible to pass liberal
legislation
Ballance asked for 12-18 members
and was refused
Colonial Office forced agreement
Dispute over appointing H B
Edwards to the Supreme Court &
Native Land Court
Land Reform Measures
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Land Tax for absentee owners, 1891
Department of Agriculture founded
1892
State Farms established 1892
Land for Settlement Act 1892, and
purchase of Cheviot Estate
Perpetual Lease (1882) adapted to a
31 year lease 1891 – failed
1892 Land Bill compromised with
Lease in perpetuity 999 years with
no revaluation - Very popular
Industrial policies
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Reeves formed Bureaus of
Industry 1891
Labour Department created
1892
Began to plan major factory
reform
Also sought to strengthen trade
unions
Reeves the first socialist?
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Prided himself
on knowledge of
socialism
But he had no
class analysis
He was a
nationalist and
racist
He wanted a
strong state
How significant was Ballance?
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Suffered cancer of colon from
September 1892
Seddon was Acting PM
McIvor calls him ‘the rainmaker’
He didn’t achieve much but
created a party tradition
The struggle gave him stature