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The Liberals 1890-1893

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

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The Liberals 1890-1893

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  1. The Liberals 1890-1893 Lecture 2 of 148.205 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 1847-1905 • 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 12-18 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

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