New Zealand Liberal Federation

Last updated
New Zealand Liberal Federation
PresidentJames Hill-Motion
Founded8 May 1956
Ideology Classical Liberalism
Laissez-faire
Political position Centre-right
Colours  Yellow

The New Zealand Liberal Federation was a defunct laissez-faire Liberal Party that was formed to stand electoral candidates in the mid-1950's.

Contents

History

The Party was formed at a meeting in Lower Hutt on 8 May 1956 with the intention of standing candidates at the 1957 general election. The meeting was hosted by A. J. Pascoe who was a former executive member of the Social Credit Party before he had resigned from the party. Around 40 persons attended some from as far away as Palmerston North and Masterton including the provisional party president, James Hill-Motion. Pascoe said that the party was based partly on a modification of his own financial ideas and partly on "Seddon liberalism." [1]

Soon after the party launch the party decided against contesting the 1956 Riccarton by-election. The party's executive feeling the party policy would not be finalised in time for the election date. [2] At the 1957 Bay of Plenty by-election Reginald Joseph Pedley stood for the Liberal Federation. Hill-Motion stated that the party planned to use the by-election campaign to advertise its policies to New Zealanders. He also pushed back on jibes that his party were "dissenting Social Crediters" instead saying "We are dissenting Nationalists, but we see a danger for the country in socialism." Hill-Motion had been a Social Credit candidate for Manawatu in 1954, but regretted his nomination. [3] The party did not perform well with Pedley only obtaining 4.26% of the vote and lost his deposit. [4]

The Liberal Federation had several policy platforms it campaigned on: [5]

At the 1957 general election only two Liberal Federation candidates stood. Pedley in Manawatu and John Duggan, the Mayor of Raetihi, in Patea. Both polled poorly with Pedley winning 124 votes (0.9%) and Duggan received 158 votes (1.2%). [6] As late as November 1958 the party was intending to stand candidates at the 1960 general election, claiming there was dire need amongst the public for third parties. [7]

Notes

  1. ↑ "New Liberal Party - Formation at Lower Hutt Meeting". The Press . Vol. XCIII, no. 27963. 9 May 1956. p. 11. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "General News - Riccarton By-election". The Press . Vol. XCIV, no. 28079. 21 September 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  3. ↑ "Bay of Plenty By-Election - Three Candidates In Contest". The Press . Vol. XCV, no. 28228. 16 March 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Norton 1988, p. 200.
  5. ↑ "N.Z. Liberal Federation - Organiser Outlines Policy". The Press . Vol. XCV, no. 28226. 14 March 1957. p. 14. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  6. ↑ Norton 1988, pp. 265, 315.
  7. ↑ "Third Party "Dire Need" - Liberals' Plans For 1960". The Press . Vol. XCVII, no. 28746. 18 November 1958. p. 10. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

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References

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