Lecture 2 of 148.205 Modern New Zealand Politics The Liberals 1890-1893 Lecture 2 of 148.205 Modern New Zealand Politics

The December 1890 Election 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? 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 Concern to stop runholder domination Represented people in towns Represented the small businesses Wanted positive liberalism- reform and democracy Wanted protection not free trade

John Ballance 1839-1893 Ulsterman and Birmingham ironmonger Came in 1866 to Wanganui, newspaper publisher Anti-provinces Freethinker, democrat Favoured self-reliance

John McKenzie Scottish crofter Large loud-mouthed bully Minister of lands, immigration & agriculture

Sir Patrick Buckley 1840-1896 Irish Catholic Had been company secretary for a BNZ company Attorney General and Colonia Secretary

William Pember Reeves 1857-1932 Young Christchurch liberal, with degree, writer, lawyer Saw self as a Fabian Minister of Justice, Education & Labour

Sir Joseph Ward Young Catholic draper & freezing works owner dapper Postmaster-General

Richard John Seddon Publican from West Coast Crude effective local politician

Alfred Cadman 1847-1905 From Thames Minister of Native Affairs

James Carroll 1857-1926 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 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 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 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 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? 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? 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