Reform Government of New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The Reform Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand
from 1912 to 1928. It is perhaps best remembered for its anti-trade union
stance in the Waihi miners' strike
of 1912 and a dockworkers' strike the following year. It also governed during World War I
, during which a temporary coalition was formed with the Liberal Party.
in 1890. It remained in power for more than two decades, testimony not only to its popular policies and dynamic leadership but also to its organisation and party structure.
The opposition was initially disorganised and fractured. John Bryce
was briefly recognised as Leader of the Opposition
in 1891, then William Rolleston
from 1891 to 1893 and William Russell
from 1894 to 1901. William Massey
held the position from 1903, and by 1909 the opposition had coalesced into a new party known as the Reform Party
under Massey's leadership.
Although the 1911 election
saw Reform win 37 seats to the Liberal Party's 33, the balance of power
was held by several independent Members of Parliament, who supported the Liberals. Over the next few months, however, enough switched sides for the Liberal government to lose a confidence vote, thus bringing Reform to power in July 1912.
. Neither he nor the two small workers' parties (United Labour
and Social Democrats) in parliament were likely to ally with the right-wing Reform Party.
Fortunately for Reform, the outbreak of World War I
earlier in the year had created a need for national unity, and a hitherto unlikely coalition was formed between Reform and the party Reform had been set up to defeat, the Liberals. Massey retained his position as Prime Minister
, with Liberal leader Joseph Ward
becoming unofficial co-leader. Payne also supported the war, but both United Labour and the Social Democrats were against it, especially conscription
. In 1916 they combined to form the New Zealand Labour Party
, which became the official opposition. Several Labour MPs were jailed for their anti-conscription activities or for refusing military service.
. The Labour Party was gaining considerable support, causing Massey to worry that it would soon supersede the Liberals.
and regained some of its lost popularity. Reform and United each won 27 seats, with the Labour Party holding the balance of power with 19. Labour were long-term opponents of Reform and supported United, enabling United to take power.
from 10 July 1912 until his death on 10 May 1925. Francis Bell, who had earlier been Acting Prime Minister, briefly became Prime Minister (from 14 to 30 May 1925) but declined his party's offer of the job on a permanent basis. Gordon Coates
was then appointed from 30 May 1925, and held the position until 10 December 1928, as his party was defeated in the 1928 general election
.
Governments of New Zealand
The Government of New Zealand , formally Her Majesty's Government in New Zealand, is based on the Westminster system of responsible government...
from 1912 to 1928. It is perhaps best remembered for its anti-trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
stance in the Waihi miners' strike
Waihi miners' strike
The Waihi miners' strike was a major strike action in 1912 by gold miners in the New Zealand town of Waihi. It is widely regarded as the most significant industrial action in the history of New Zealand's labour movement...
of 1912 and a dockworkers' strike the following year. It also governed during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, during which a temporary coalition was formed with the Liberal Party.
Industrial
- Sided with employers in the 1912 Waihi miners' strikeWaihi miners' strikeThe Waihi miners' strike was a major strike action in 1912 by gold miners in the New Zealand town of Waihi. It is widely regarded as the most significant industrial action in the history of New Zealand's labour movement...
and the waterfront workers' strike1913 Great StrikeThe Great Strike refers to a near general strike that took place in New Zealand in 1913. The dispute began on the Wellington waterfront and spread to other industries around the country.-Origins:...
of 1913. In the latter strike, civilians enrolled as 'special constableSpecial constableA Special Constable is a law enforcement officer who is not a regular member of a police force. Some like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the same law enforcement powers as regular members, but are employed in specific roles, such as explosive disposal technicians, court security, campus...
s' became known as 'Massey's Cossacks'. - The Board of Trade Act (1919) gave government the power to regulate industries “in the interests of economic welfare”.
Health
- Compulsory medical inspection of schoolchildren was introduced (1912).
- A minimum drinking age of 21 was introduced (1914).
- A Board of Health was set up (1920).
Welfare
- A juvenile probation scheme was established (1913).
- Widow’s pensions were extended to the wives of mental hospital patients (1912).
- Pensions were introduced for miners' widows (1915).
- The War Pensions Act of 1915 introduced war widows pensions, which were paid without a means test from 1916 onwards.
- The war pensions system was extended (1919).
- Women were made eligible for Parliament (1919).
- Pensions for the blind were introduced (1924).
- Family allowances were introduced for the second child onwards (1926).
- Legislation was introduced (1922) which increasingly placed farm products under the control of boards.
- Children’s Courts were established (1925).
- Child Welfare Act was introduced (1925)
- Borstal institutions were established (1924).
- The Child Welfare Act 1925 introduced compulsory inquiries into the living circumstances of all children born outside marriage.
Education
- The Education Act (1914) made it compulsory for public secondary schools to take free-place pupils.
- The school-leaving age was raised to 14 (1914).
Foreign affairs and military
- Brought New Zealand into World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
with Britain and the Allies, see Military history of New Zealand in World War IMilitary history of New Zealand in World War IWhen the United Kingdom declared war on Germany at the start of the First World War, the New Zealand government followed without hesitation, despite its geographic isolation and small population...
. - Introduced conscription in 1916, following registration of male residents between 17 and 60 under the National Registration Act, 1915.
Formation
From the start of representative government in New Zealand, in the mid nineteenth century, until the 1890s, New Zealand governments were not formed on a party basis but were rather loose and shifting groups of individuals. In the 1880s and 1890s a group of politicians formed themselves into New Zealand's first true political party, the Liberals, which became the Liberal governmentFirst Liberal Government of New Zealand
The First Liberal Government of New Zealand was the first responsible government in New Zealand politics organised along party lines. The Government formed following the founding of the Liberal Party and took office on the 24 January 1891, and governed New Zealand for over 21 years until 10 July...
in 1890. It remained in power for more than two decades, testimony not only to its popular policies and dynamic leadership but also to its organisation and party structure.
The opposition was initially disorganised and fractured. John Bryce
John Bryce
John Bryce was a New Zealand politician from 1871 to 1891 and Minister of Native Affairs from 1879 to 1884...
was briefly recognised as Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)
The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand is the politician who, at least in theory, commands the support of the non-government bloc of members in the New Zealand Parliament. In the debating chamber the Leader of the Opposition sits directly opposite the Prime Minister...
in 1891, then William Rolleston
William Rolleston
William Rolleston was a New Zealand politician, public administrator, educationalist and Canterbury provincial superintendent.-Early life:...
from 1891 to 1893 and William Russell
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:...
from 1894 to 1901. William Massey
William Massey
William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
held the position from 1903, and by 1909 the opposition had coalesced into a new party known as the Reform Party
New Zealand Reform Party
The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party...
under Massey's leadership.
Although the 1911 election
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...
saw Reform win 37 seats to the Liberal Party's 33, the balance of power
Balance of power (parliament)
In parliamentary politics, the term balance of power sometimes describes the pragmatic mechanism exercised by a minor political party or other grouping whose guaranteed support may enable an otherwise minority government to obtain and hold office...
was held by several independent Members of Parliament, who supported the Liberals. Over the next few months, however, enough switched sides for the Liberal government to lose a confidence vote, thus bringing Reform to power in July 1912.
1914 Election and wartime coalition
Following the 1914 election, Reform held only 40 seats in the 80 seat parliament. By this time only one independent MP remained, the left-wing John PayneJohn Payne (politician)
John Payne was a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Payne was born in Manchester, England. His father was clerk to a solicitor, and Payne himself initially took up office employment, but later migrated to New Zealand. There, he worked as a farmhand and a goldminer before turning to accountancy...
. Neither he nor the two small workers' parties (United Labour
United Labour Party (New Zealand)
The United Labour Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. Founded in 1912, it represented the more moderate wing of the labour movement. In 1916 it joined with other political groups to establish the modern Labour Party.- Origins :...
and Social Democrats) in parliament were likely to ally with the right-wing Reform Party.
Fortunately for Reform, the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
earlier in the year had created a need for national unity, and a hitherto unlikely coalition was formed between Reform and the party Reform had been set up to defeat, the Liberals. Massey retained his position as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
, with Liberal leader Joseph Ward
Joseph Ward
Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
becoming unofficial co-leader. Payne also supported the war, but both United Labour and the Social Democrats were against it, especially conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
. In 1916 they combined to form the New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
, which became the official opposition. Several Labour MPs were jailed for their anti-conscription activities or for refusing military service.
1919 election
The coalition became increasingly difficult to manage, due partly to a personality clash between Massey and Ward. Following the end of the war in November 1918, the coalition dissolved, the two parties fought the subsequent election separately. Reform won an additional six seats, gaining a working majority at last.1922 election
Economic problems had reduced the government's popularity, and the election left Reform with only 37 seats - four short of a majority. Massey was forced to cobble together a coalition of Reform, independents, and two Liberal MPs who were later rewarded with seats in the Legislative CouncilNew Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
. The Labour Party was gaining considerable support, causing Massey to worry that it would soon supersede the Liberals.
1925 election
Labour continued to grow in popularity, and in the 1925 election gained more seats than the Liberals. The two parties were competing for many of the same voters, and for the anti-government vote in particular, and this worked to Reform's benefit. Although the party gained an additional 18 seats, its share of the vote rose by only 8.3%, suggesting that it benefitted from vote-splitting in many electorates.1928 election
Following its disastrous performance in the 1925 election, the Liberal Party reconstituted itself as the United PartyUnited Party (New Zealand)
The United Party of New Zealand, a party formed out of the remnants of the Liberal Party, formed a government between 1928 and 1935, and in 1936 merged with the Reform Party to establish the National Party...
and regained some of its lost popularity. Reform and United each won 27 seats, with the Labour Party holding the balance of power with 19. Labour were long-term opponents of Reform and supported United, enabling United to take power.
Electoral results
| Election | Parliament | Seats | Total votes | Percentage | Gain (loss) | Seats won | Change | Majority |
| 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... |
18th | 80 | 590,042 | 37 | ||||
| 1914 New Zealand general election, 1914 The New Zealand general election of 1914 was held on 10 December to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 19th session of the New Zealand Parliament. A total number of 616,043 voters were registered, of which 84.7% voters turned out to vote.... |
19th 19th New Zealand Parliament The 19th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 June 1915, following the 1914 election. It was dissolved on 27 November 1919 in preparation for 1919 election.... |
80 | 616,043 | 40 | +3 | 0 | ||
| 1919 | 20th | 80 | 683,420 | 47 | +7 | 7 | ||
| 1922 New Zealand general election, 1922 The New Zealand general election of 1922 was held on Monday, 6 December in the Māori electorates, and on Tuesday, 7 December in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 21st session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
21st | 80 | 700,111 | 39.4% | 37 | -10 | ||
| 1925 New Zealand general election, 1925 The New Zealand general election of 1925 was held 4 November to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 22nd session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
22nd 22nd New Zealand Parliament The 22nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Its composition was determined by the 1925 elections, and it sat until the 1928 elections.... |
80 | 678,877 | 47.79% | +8.39% | 55 | +18 | 15 |
| 1928 New Zealand general election, 1928 The New Zealand general election of 1928 was held on Tuesday, 13 November in the Māori electorates, and on Wednesday, 14 November in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 23rd session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
23rd | 80 | 844,633 | 34.8% | -12.99% | 27 | -28 |
Prime ministers
The government was led by William MasseyWilliam Massey
William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
from 10 July 1912 until his death on 10 May 1925. Francis Bell, who had earlier been Acting Prime Minister, briefly became Prime Minister (from 14 to 30 May 1925) but declined his party's offer of the job on a permanent basis. Gordon Coates
Gordon Coates
Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from...
was then appointed from 30 May 1925, and held the position until 10 December 1928, as his party was defeated in the 1928 general election
New Zealand general election, 1928
The New Zealand general election of 1928 was held on Tuesday, 13 November in the Māori electorates, and on Wednesday, 14 November in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 23rd session of the New Zealand Parliament...
.
Cabinet Ministers
| Ministry | Minister | Term(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney-General Attorney-General (New Zealand) The Attorney-General is a political office in New Zealand. It is simultaneously a ministerial position and an administrative office, and has responsibility for supervising New Zealand law and advising the government on legal matters... |
Alexander Herdman Alexander Herdman Alexander Lawrence Herdman was a New Zealand politician. He served as Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Police. He is known for his reforms of the civil service and for his hard line on law and order.He had 3 children ana born in 1890, jonn born in 1893 and Adam born in... |
1912-18 |
| Francis Bell | 1918-26 | |
| William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart was a New Zealand Finance Minister, Mayor of Dunedin and writer.-Early life:Stewart was born in Dunedin in 1878. His father was William Downie Stewart, a lawyer and politician... |
1926 | |
| Francis Rolleston Francis Rolleston Francis Joseph Rolleston was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1922 to 1928, when he was defeated.... |
1926-28 | |
| Minister of Defence Minister of Defence (New Zealand) The Minister of Defence is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the New Zealand armed forces and the Ministry of Defence.The present Minister is Dr... |
James Allen James Allen (New Zealand) Sir James Allen, GCMG, KCB was a prominent New Zealand politician and diplomat. He held a number of the most important political offices in the country, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also New Zealand's Minister of Defence during World War I.-Early life:Allen... |
1912-20 |
| Heaton Rhodes Heaton Rhodes Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes KCVO KBE VD , usually known as Sir Heaton Rhodes, was a New Zealand politician and lawyer.... |
1920-26 | |
| Francis Rolleston Francis Rolleston Francis Joseph Rolleston was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1922 to 1928, when he was defeated.... |
1926-28 | |
| William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart was a New Zealand Finance Minister, Mayor of Dunedin and writer.-Early life:Stewart was born in Dunedin in 1878. His father was William Downie Stewart, a lawyer and politician... |
1928 | |
| Minister of Finance Minister of Finance (New Zealand) The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister.... |
James Allen James Allen (New Zealand) Sir James Allen, GCMG, KCB was a prominent New Zealand politician and diplomat. He held a number of the most important political offices in the country, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also New Zealand's Minister of Defence during World War I.-Early life:Allen... |
1912-15 |
| Joseph Ward Joseph Ward Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:... |
1915-19 | |
| James Allen James Allen (New Zealand) Sir James Allen, GCMG, KCB was a prominent New Zealand politician and diplomat. He held a number of the most important political offices in the country, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also New Zealand's Minister of Defence during World War I.-Early life:Allen... |
1919-20 | |
| William Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... |
1920-25 | |
| William Nosworthy William Nosworthy William Nosworthy was a New Zealand politician. He briefly served as Minister of Finance and then Minister of External Affairs in the Reform Government.... |
1925-26 | |
| William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart was a New Zealand Finance Minister, Mayor of Dunedin and writer.-Early life:Stewart was born in Dunedin in 1878. His father was William Downie Stewart, a lawyer and politician... |
1926-18 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand) The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a major ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand.The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Murray McCully, who was National Party Spokeperson of Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are also Associate Minister roles... |
James Allen James Allen (New Zealand) Sir James Allen, GCMG, KCB was a prominent New Zealand politician and diplomat. He held a number of the most important political offices in the country, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also New Zealand's Minister of Defence during World War I.-Early life:Allen... |
1919-20 |
| Ernest Lee Ernest Lee Ernest Page Lee was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He was the Member of Parliament for Oamaru from 1911 to 1922, when he was defeated in the 1922 election.... |
1920-23 | |
| Francis Bell | 1923-26 | |
| William Nosworthy William Nosworthy William Nosworthy was a New Zealand politician. He briefly served as Minister of Finance and then Minister of External Affairs in the Reform Government.... |
1926-28 | |
| Gordon Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from... |
1928 | |
| Minister of Health Minister of Health (New Zealand) The Minister of Health is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the New Zealand Ministry of Health and the District Health Boards.The present Minister is Tony Ryall, a member of the National Party.-History:... |
George Russell | 1912 |
| Heaton Rhodes Heaton Rhodes Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes KCVO KBE VD , usually known as Sir Heaton Rhodes, was a New Zealand politician and lawyer.... |
1912-15 | |
| George Russell | 1915-19 | |
| Francis Bell | 1919-20 | |
| Christopher Parr | 1920-23 | |
| Maui Pomare Maui Pomare Sir Maui Wiremu Pita Naera Pomare, KBE, CMG was a New Zealand doctor and politician, being counted among the more prominent Māori political figures... |
1923-26 | |
| James Young James Alexander Young James Alexander Young was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He was Mayor of Hamilton from 1909 to 1912.He then represented the Waikato electorate from 1911 to 1922, and then the Hamilton electorate from 1922 to 1935, when he was defeated.He was Minister of Health from 1926 to 1928 in... |
1926-28 | |
| Minister of Justice Minister of Justice (New Zealand) The Minister of Justice is a minister in the government of New Zealand. The minister has responsibility for the formulation of justice policy and for the administration of law courts.... |
Gordon Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from... |
1919-20 |
| Ernest Lee Ernest Lee Ernest Page Lee was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He was the Member of Parliament for Oamaru from 1911 to 1922, when he was defeated in the 1922 election.... |
1920-23 | |
| Francis Bell | 1923 | |
| Christopher Parr | 1923-26 | |
| Francis Rolleston Francis Rolleston Francis Joseph Rolleston was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1922 to 1928, when he was defeated.... |
1926-28 | |
| William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart was a New Zealand Finance Minister, Mayor of Dunedin and writer.-Early life:Stewart was born in Dunedin in 1878. His father was William Downie Stewart, a lawyer and politician... |
1928 | |
| Minister of Native Affairs Minister of Maori Affairs The Minister of Māori Affairs is the minister of the New Zealand government with broad responsibility for government policy towards Māori, the first inhabitants of New Zealand. The current Minister of Māori Affairs is Dr. Pita Sharples.-Role:... |
William Herries William Herries Sir William Herbert Herries KCMG was an English-born New Zealand politician.Herries was born in London, the son of a barrister, and educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. At the age of 22 he emigrated to New Zealand and became a farmer near Te Aroha... |
1912-21 |
| Gordon Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from... |
1921-28 | |
| Minister of Railways Minister of Railways (New Zealand) The Minister of Railways was the minister in the government responsible for the New Zealand Railways Department 1895–1981, the New Zealand Railways Corporation 1981–1993, and New Zealand Rail Limited 1990–1993... |
William Herries William Herries Sir William Herbert Herries KCMG was an English-born New Zealand politician.Herries was born in London, the son of a barrister, and educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. At the age of 22 he emigrated to New Zealand and became a farmer near Te Aroha... |
1912-19 |
| William Massey William Massey William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular... |
1919-22 | |
| David Guthrie David Guthrie David Henry Guthrie was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He was the Minister of Railways in the Reform Government, and the Member of Parliament for Oroua from 1908 to 1925, when he retired.... |
1922-23 | |
| Gordon Coates Gordon Coates Joseph Gordon Coates, MC and bar served as the 21st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1925 to 1928.- Early life :Born on the Hukatere Peninsula in Kaipara Harbour where his family ran a farm, Coates took on significant responsibility at a relatively early age because his father suffered from... |
1923-28 | |