1. Lecture 2 of 148.205 Modern New Zealand Politics
The Liberals
Lecture 2 of Modern
New Zealand Politics

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Richard John Seddon Publican from West Coast
Crude effective local politician

11. Alfred Cadman
From Thames
Minister of Native Affairs

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 members and was refused
Colonial Office forced agreement
Dispute over appointing H B Edwards to the Supreme Court & Native Land Court

15. 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

16. Industrial policies Reeves formed Bureaus of Industry 1891
Labour Department created 1892
Began to plan major factory reform
Also sought to strengthen trade unions

17. 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

18. 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