Robert Thompson (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Robert Thompson was a Member of Parliament
for Marsden
, in Northland, New Zealand.
in the New Zealand House of Representatives
for fifteen years from 1887 to 1902.
According to Wilson , he changed his political allegiance; initially a Conservative he was a Liberal
in 1893, but in 1896 was Independent and in 1899 was an Independent Liberal but was not part of the governing Liberal Government
.
Born in Ireland
, Thompson migrated to Australia
in 1864 and New Zealand in 1868. He was a Commission Agent and Auctioneer. He acquired the labels “Marsden Thompson” and “the member for roads and bridges” in Parliament. He was known for his devotion to the interests of his district, which was desperately in need of good roads, and his only reason for being a Liberal was that the government was the only source of funding for roads and bridges. He was pro-freehold (land), and was opposed to Liberal policies such as labour legislation and old age pensions. By 1908 when he stood unsuccessfully for Auckland West
against a sitting Liberal member, he was once more an Independent, although his programme – freehold (land), acquisition of Maori land and opposition to prohibition had not altered .
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Marsden
Marsden (New Zealand electorate)
Marsden is a former parliamentary electorate, in the Whangarei District in the Northland Region of New Zealand.-Population Centres:The electorate was mixed urban and rural, around the city of Whangarei.-History:...
, in Northland, New Zealand.
Member of Parliament
Robert Thompson represented MarsdenMarsden (New Zealand electorate)
Marsden is a former parliamentary electorate, in the Whangarei District in the Northland Region of New Zealand.-Population Centres:The electorate was mixed urban and rural, around the city of Whangarei.-History:...
in the New Zealand House of Representatives
New Zealand House of Representatives
The New Zealand House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the legislature of New Zealand. The House and the Queen of New Zealand form the New Zealand Parliament....
for fifteen years from 1887 to 1902.
According to Wilson , he changed his political allegiance; initially a Conservative he was a Liberal
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...
in 1893, but in 1896 was Independent and in 1899 was an Independent Liberal but was not part of the governing Liberal Government
First 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...
.
Born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Thompson migrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1864 and New Zealand in 1868. He was a Commission Agent and Auctioneer. He acquired the labels “Marsden Thompson” and “the member for roads and bridges” in Parliament. He was known for his devotion to the interests of his district, which was desperately in need of good roads, and his only reason for being a Liberal was that the government was the only source of funding for roads and bridges. He was pro-freehold (land), and was opposed to Liberal policies such as labour legislation and old age pensions. By 1908 when he stood unsuccessfully for Auckland West
Auckland West
The former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate on the western outskirts of Auckland, was known as West Auckland from 1984 to 1993. The earlier electorates were known as City of Auckland West from 1861 to 1890, and then Auckland West from 1905 to 1946.-History:The "City of Auckland West" electorate...
against a sitting Liberal member, he was once more an Independent, although his programme – freehold (land), acquisition of Maori land and opposition to prohibition had not altered .