Alfred Dillon
Encyclopedia
Alfred Dillon was a Liberal Party
Member of Parliament in New Zealand
.
He won the Hawkes Bay
electorate in 1905
, but was defeated in 1911
.
Dillon was from humble origins in Wales, and worked for years as a farm labourer, bullock driver and carrier before acquiring land; he was a rarity amongst Liberals as a runholder with about 3500 acres (14.2 km²). A poor speaker and sneered at by William Russell as illiterate
, he appealed as a “man of the people” who had made his way by his own efforts. He retained the image of the rugged pioneer; short, barrel-chested, bushy-bearded and usually clad in thick country tweeds; he was 64 when he entered Parliament and was known affectionately as “Dad” by other members.
New Zealand Liberal Party
The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party...
Member of Parliament in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
He won the Hawkes Bay
Hawkes Bay (New Zealand electorate)
Hawkes Bay was a parliamentary electorate in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand from 1881 to 1996.The electorate was represented by twelve Members of Parliament:-Election results:Key...
electorate in 1905
New Zealand general election, 1905
The New Zealand general election of 1905 was held on Wednesday, 6 December in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 16th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, but was defeated in 1911
New Zealand general election, 1911
The New Zealand general election of 1911 was held on Thursday, 7 and 14 December in the general electorates, and on Tuesday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 18th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
.
Dillon was from humble origins in Wales, and worked for years as a farm labourer, bullock driver and carrier before acquiring land; he was a rarity amongst Liberals as a runholder with about 3500 acres (14.2 km²). A poor speaker and sneered at by William Russell as illiterate
William Russell (New Zealand)
Sir William 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.-Early life:...
, he appealed as a “man of the people” who had made his way by his own efforts. He retained the image of the rugged pioneer; short, barrel-chested, bushy-bearded and usually clad in thick country tweeds; he was 64 when he entered Parliament and was known affectionately as “Dad” by other members.