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The 1889 New Zealand Liberal leadership election was held on 6 July to choose who would lead New Zealand's parliamentary opposition and, ultimately, decide the inaugural leader of the New Zealand Liberal Party. The election was won by Wanganui MP John Ballance.
After the Stout–Vogel Ministry had been defeated in the polls at the 1887 election parliament's liberal wing was in disarray. The MPs had lost their leader Sir Robert Stout, and were overwhelmingly tasked with defeating the sitting ministry headed by Harry Atkinson at the next general election. Sir Julius Vogel became the leader of the opposition with Stout out of Parliament, however he too decided to retire in early 1889. [1] Parliament continued and the opposition politicians were in limbo with little real leadership. To address these concerns a caucus was organised to select a new leader from amongst them to rival Atkinson and win back power in 1890.
Ballance had been a leading figure in parliament's liberal faction for years and was a prominent critic of Atkinson. He had been a minister in the two previous liberal ministries of Sir George Grey and Sir Robert Stout. After Stout lost his seat in 1887, Ballance had been urging him to return and once again lead the liberal cause in parliament. Stout declined, and after his retirement from politics was known to Ballance, he took the initiative to stake his own claim to the leadership. [2]
Walker had been in Parliament from 1884 representing the Ashburton electorate. Since 1887 he had been the opposition Whip. Like Ballance, he had progressive views and was a personal friend of both him and Stout. Prior to entering parliament he had involved in provincial politics as a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council. [3]
The election was conducted through a members' ballot by the opposition caucus upon which Ballance was successful. Walker made known his support for Ballance and a second vote entailed at his request, the vote unanimous. [4]
| Name | Votes | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Ballance | 23 | 67.6% | |
| William Campbell Walker | 11 | 32.4% |
John Ballance led the Liberals until his death in 1893 including two years as prime minister, forming his own ministry in 1891 after winning the 1890 election. [2] He took on the leadership by stating to caucus that he accepted 'not without much hesitation' and feeling it was his duty. The Premier, Harry Atkinson, congratulated Ballance on winning the leadership at Parliament's next sitting. [4]
John Ballance was an Irish-born New Zealand politician who was the 14th premier of New Zealand, from January 1891 to April 1893, the founder of the Liberal Party, and a Georgist. In 1890 he led his party to its first election victory, forming the first New Zealand government along party lines, but died in office three years later. Ballance supported votes for women. He also supported land reform, though at considerable cost to Māori.
Sir Harry Albert Atkinson served as the tenth premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years. He was responsible for guiding the country during a time of economic depression, and was known as a cautious and prudent manager of government finances, though distrusted for some policies such as his 1882 National Insurance (welfare) scheme and leasehold land schemes. He also participated in the formation of voluntary military units to fight in the New Zealand Wars, and was noted for his strong belief in the need for seizure of Māori land.
Sir Robert Stout was a New Zealand politician who was the 13th premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices. He was noted for his support of liberal causes such as women's suffrage, and for his strong belief that philosophy and theory should always triumph over political expediency.
The New Zealand Liberal Party was the first organised political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. The Liberal strategy was to create a large class of small land-owning farmers who supported Liberal ideals, by buying large tracts of Māori land and selling it to small farmers on credit. The Liberal Government also established the basis of the later welfare state, with old age pensions, developed a system for settling industrial disputes, which was accepted by both employers and trade unions. In 1893 it extended voting rights to women, making New Zealand the first country in the world to enact universal adult suffrage.
The 1884 New Zealand general election was held on 22 July to elect a total of 95 MPs to the 9th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 21 July. A total number of 137,686 (60.6%) voters turned out to vote. In 11 seats there was only one candidate.
The 1887 New Zealand general election was held on 26 September to elect 95 MPs to the tenth session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 7 September. 175,410 votes were cast. In 5 seats there was only one candidate.
William John Alexander Montgomery was a New Zealand politician and merchant from Little River on Banks Peninsula. Born in London, he lived in a number of places and pursued a number of occupations before settling in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Sir William Russell Russell was a New Zealand politician from 1870 to 1905. He was a cabinet minister, and was recognised as Leader of the Opposition from 1894 to 1901. Though considered by other politicians to have little sympathy with working people as a major landowner his panache and involvement in local affairs led him to be liked and admired by Hawkes Bay's élite.
The 9th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand.
The 10th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Elections for this term were held in 4 Māori electorates and 91 European electorates on 7 and 26 September 1887, respectively. A total of 95 MPs were elected. Parliament was prorogued in October 1890. During the term of this Parliament, two Ministries were in power.
The 11th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand.
The Third Atkinson Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, sometimes referred to as part of the Continuous Ministry. It took office after the retirement of Frederick Whitaker and continued the personnel and policies of the Whitaker and Hall ministries.
The Continuous Ministry was the government of New Zealand from 1876 to 1890, except for 1877 to 1879 and 1884 to 1887.
The New Zealand Liberal Party leadership election 1913 was held on 11 September to choose the next leader of the New Zealand Liberal Party. The election was won by Awarua MP and former party leader Joseph Ward.
The New Zealand Liberal Party leadership election 1906 was held to choose the next leader of the New Zealand Liberal Party. The election was won by Awarua MP and incumbent deputy leader Joseph Ward.
The New Zealand Liberal Party leadership election 1893 was held to decide the second leader of the New Zealand Liberal Party. The position went to Westland MP and incumbent deputy leader Richard Seddon.
Conservatism in New Zealand, though related to its counterparts in other Western countries, developed uniquely over time. Advocates followed a political ideology that emphasised the preservation of traditional European beliefs, institutions and practices.
The First Stout-Vogel Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand lasting less than a fortnight, not to be confused with the longer-lasting Second Stout-Vogel Ministry. It took office after the Continuous Ministry of Harry Atkinson fell to a confidence motion after the 1884 general election.
The Fifth Atkinson Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, serving from October 1887 to January 1891. It was the last non-party government of New Zealand. It was also the final component of the "Continuous Ministry", a series of conservative governments between 1876 and 1891.
27 March 1839 – 27 April 1893 Prime Minister of New Zealand (1891–93) • Leader of the Liberal Party (1889–93) • Leader of the Opposition (1889–1891) | ||
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