William Massey
Encyclopedia
William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" (26 March 1856 – 10 May 1925) 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 support he showed towards rural
interests. After Richard Seddon, he is to date the second longest serving Prime Minister in New Zealand's history.
family, and grew up in Limavady
, County Londonderry
in Ireland
. His father John Massey and his mother Marianne (or Mary Anne) Ferguson were tenant farmers who also owned a small property. His family moved to New Zealand in 1869, although Bill Massey himself remained in Ireland for a further year to complete his education. After arriving in New Zealand, Massey worked as a farmhand for some years before acquiring his own farm in 1877. In 1882 Massey married his neighbour's daughter, Christina Allen Paul (died 1932). The couple had seven children.
society,and farming associations. Because of his prominence in these circles, he became involved in political debate, working on behalf of rural conservatives
against the Liberal Party
government of John Ballance
.
In 1893, Massey stood as a candidate in the general election
, but was unsuccessful, losing to the Liberal
candidate. In early 1894, however, Massey was invited to contest a by-election
in the neighbouring electorate of Waitemata
, and was victorious. But in the 1896 election
he stood for the Franklin electorate
, which he represented until he died in 1925.
). These opposition MPs, however, were poorly organized and dispirited, and had little chance of unseating the Liberals
. William Russell
, official Leader of the Opposition
, was able to command only fifteen votes. Massey brought increased vigour to the conservative faction.
While the conservatives did rally for a time, support for the Liberals
increased markedly during the Second Boer War
, leaving the conservatives devastated. Massey's political career, however, survived the period. Despite a challenge by William Herries
, Massey remained the most prominent opponent to the Liberal Party.
After Seddon's death, the Liberals came to be led by Joseph Ward
, who proved more vulnerable to Massey's attacks. In particular, Massey made gains by claiming that alleged corruption and cronyism within the civil service was ignored or abetted by the Liberal government. His conservative politics also benefited him when voters grew concerned about militant unionism
and the supposed threat of socialism
.
In the 1911 elections
, the Reform Party managed to gain more seats than the Liberal Party, but did not gain an absolute majority. The Liberals, relying on support from independents who had not joined Reform, were able to stay in power until the following year, when they lost a vote of no confidence.
on 10 July 1912. Two days later it was reported in the press on the 12 July that he had accepted the appointment of Honorary Commandant of the Auckland District of the Legion of Frontiersmen . As time passed, however, some members of the Reform party grew increasingly frustrated at Massey's dominance of the party. He also earned the enmity of many workers with his harsh response to miners' and waterfront workers' strikes in 1912 and 1913. The use of force to deal with the strikers made Massey an object of hatred for the emerging left-wing. However, conservatives (many of whom believed that the unions were controlled by socialists and communists) generally supported Massey, saying that his methods were necessary. His association with the Legion of Frontiersmen assisted him greatly during this period as a number of mounted units, including Levin Troop rode to Wellington in mufti and assisted as Special Constables. Amongst the men of Levin Troop was a young Bernhard Freyberg who would shortly earn the Victoria Cross near Beaumont Hamel.
Amongst the first Acts enacted by Massey's government was one which "enabled some 13,000 Crown tenants to purchase their own farms."
, however, diverted attention from these matters. The 1914 election left Massey and his political opponents stalemated in parliament, with neither side possessing enough support to govern effectively. As such, Massey reluctantly invited Joseph Ward
of the Liberals
to form a war-time coalition (created in 1915). While Massey remained Prime Minister, Ward gained de-facto status as joint leader. Massey and Ward travelled to the United Kingdom
several times, both during and after the war, to discuss military cooperation and peace settlements. During his first visit, Massey visited New Zealand troops, listening to their complaints sympathetically. This angered some officials, who believed that Massey undermine the military leadership by conceding (in contrast to the official line) that conditions for the troops were indeed unsatisfactory. The war did, however, reinforce Massey's strong belief in the British Empire and New Zealand's links with it. Massey attended the Peace Conference in 1919 and signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of the dominion of New Zealand. Although turning down knighthoods and a peerage Massey accepted appointment as a Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown (Belgium)
from King of Belgium in March 1921 and a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour by the President of France in October 1921.
The coalition government, partly because of the difficulty in obtaining enough consensus to implement meaningful policies, had grown increasingly unpopular by the end of the war. Massey was particularly worried by the rise of the Labour Party
, which was growing increasingly influential. Massey also found himself fighting off criticism from within his own party, including charges that he was ignoring rural concerns. He dissolved the coalition in 1919, and fought both the Liberals
and Labour
on a platform of patriotism, stability, support for farmers, and a public works program. He successfully gained a working majority.
, Massey lost his majority, and was forced to negotiate with independents to keep his government alive. He was also alarmed by the success of Labour, which was now only five seats behind the Liberals. He began to believe that the Liberals would eventually disappear, with their supporters being split between Reform and Labour
- the socially liberal wing to Labour and the economically liberal wing to Reform. Massey set about trying to ensure that Reform's gain would be the greater.
In 1924, however, illness forced Massey to relinquish many of his official duties. The following year, he died of his illness. The Massey Memorial
was erected as his mausoleum
in Wellington, paid for mostly by public subscription. Massey University
is also named after him - the name was chosen because the university initially had a focus on agricultural science
, matching Massey's own farming background.
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...
of 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...
from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of 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...
. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular support he showed towards rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
interests. After Richard Seddon, he is to date the second longest serving Prime Minister in New Zealand's history.
Early life
Massey was born in 1856 into a farmingFarmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
family, and grew up in Limavady
Limavady
Limavady is a market town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, with Binevenagh as a backdrop. It lies east of Derry and south west of Coleraine. It had a population of 12,135 people in the 2001 Census, an increase of some 17% compared to 1991...
, County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
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...
. His father John Massey and his mother Marianne (or Mary Anne) Ferguson were tenant farmers who also owned a small property. His family moved to New Zealand in 1869, although Bill Massey himself remained in Ireland for a further year to complete his education. After arriving in New Zealand, Massey worked as a farmhand for some years before acquiring his own farm in 1877. In 1882 Massey married his neighbour's daughter, Christina Allen Paul (died 1932). The couple had seven children.
Early political career
Massey gradually became more prominent in his community. This was partly due to his civic involvement in the school board, the debatingDebate
Debate or debating is a method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion...
society,and farming associations. Because of his prominence in these circles, he became involved in political debate, working on behalf of rural conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
against the Liberal Party
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...
government of John Ballance
John Ballance
John Ballance served as the 14th Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party .-Early life:...
.
In 1893, Massey stood as a candidate in the general election
New Zealand general election, 1893
The New Zealand general election of 1893 was held on Tuesday, 28 November in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 12th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, but was unsuccessful, losing to the 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...
candidate. In early 1894, however, Massey was invited to contest a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in the neighbouring electorate of Waitemata
Waitemata (New Zealand electorate)
Waitemata was a New Zealand parliamentary electorate, from 1871 to 1946, and then from 1954 to 1978.-Population centres:This electorate is in the suburbs of Auckland.-History:The electorate existed from 1871 to 1946, and from 1954 to 1978...
, and was victorious. But in the 1896 election
New Zealand general election, 1896
The New Zealand general election of 1896 was held on Wednesday, 4 December in the general electorates, and on Thursday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 13th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
he stood for the Franklin electorate
Franklin (New Zealand electorate)
Franklin was a rural New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It existed from 1861 to 1996 during four periods.-Population centres:The original electorate from 1861 to 1881 included the South Auckland towns of Papatoetoe, Papakura, Pukekohe and Waiuku, and west of Waiuku to the West Coast...
, which he represented until he died in 1925.
Opposition
Massey joined the ranks of the (mostly conservative) independent MPs opposing the Liberal Party (which was by then led by Richard SeddonRichard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
). These opposition MPs, however, were poorly organized and dispirited, and had little chance of unseating the Liberals
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...
. 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:...
, official 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...
, was able to command only fifteen votes. Massey brought increased vigour to the conservative faction.
While the conservatives did rally for a time, support for the Liberals
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...
increased markedly during the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, leaving the conservatives devastated. Massey's political career, however, survived the period. Despite a challenge by 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...
, Massey remained the most prominent opponent to the Liberal Party.
After Seddon's death, the Liberals came to be led by 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:...
, who proved more vulnerable to Massey's attacks. In particular, Massey made gains by claiming that alleged corruption and cronyism within the civil service was ignored or abetted by the Liberal government. His conservative politics also benefited him when voters grew concerned about militant unionism
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...
and the supposed threat of socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
.
Reform Party
In 1909, Massey announced the creation of the Reform Party from his New Zealand Political Reform League. The party was to be led by himself and backed by his conservative colleagues.In the 1911 elections
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...
, the Reform Party managed to gain more seats than the Liberal Party, but did not gain an absolute majority. The Liberals, relying on support from independents who had not joined Reform, were able to stay in power until the following year, when they lost a vote of no confidence.
Prime minister
Massey was sworn in as Prime MinisterPrime 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...
on 10 July 1912. Two days later it was reported in the press on the 12 July that he had accepted the appointment of Honorary Commandant of the Auckland District of the Legion of Frontiersmen . As time passed, however, some members of the Reform party grew increasingly frustrated at Massey's dominance of the party. He also earned the enmity of many workers with his harsh response to miners' and waterfront workers' strikes in 1912 and 1913. The use of force to deal with the strikers made Massey an object of hatred for the emerging left-wing. However, conservatives (many of whom believed that the unions were controlled by socialists and communists) generally supported Massey, saying that his methods were necessary. His association with the Legion of Frontiersmen assisted him greatly during this period as a number of mounted units, including Levin Troop rode to Wellington in mufti and assisted as Special Constables. Amongst the men of Levin Troop was a young Bernhard Freyberg who would shortly earn the Victoria Cross near Beaumont Hamel.
Amongst the first Acts enacted by Massey's government was one which "enabled some 13,000 Crown tenants to purchase their own farms."
World War I
The outbreak of the First World WarWorld 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...
, however, diverted attention from these matters. The 1914 election left Massey and his political opponents stalemated in parliament, with neither side possessing enough support to govern effectively. As such, Massey reluctantly invited 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:...
of the Liberals
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...
to form a war-time coalition (created in 1915). While Massey remained Prime Minister, Ward gained de-facto status as joint leader. Massey and Ward travelled to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
several times, both during and after the war, to discuss military cooperation and peace settlements. During his first visit, Massey visited New Zealand troops, listening to their complaints sympathetically. This angered some officials, who believed that Massey undermine the military leadership by conceding (in contrast to the official line) that conditions for the troops were indeed unsatisfactory. The war did, however, reinforce Massey's strong belief in the British Empire and New Zealand's links with it. Massey attended the Peace Conference in 1919 and signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of the dominion of New Zealand. Although turning down knighthoods and a peerage Massey accepted appointment as a Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown (Belgium)
Order of the Crown (Belgium)
The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts...
from King of Belgium in March 1921 and a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour by the President of France in October 1921.
Coalition with the Liberals
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 was growing increasingly influential. Massey also found himself fighting off criticism from within his own party, including charges that he was ignoring rural concerns. He dissolved the coalition in 1919, and fought both the Liberals
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...
and Labour
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....
on a platform of patriotism, stability, support for farmers, and a public works program. He successfully gained a working majority.
1922 elections
Economic problems, however, lessened support for Reform. In the 1922 electionsNew 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...
, Massey lost his majority, and was forced to negotiate with independents to keep his government alive. He was also alarmed by the success of Labour, which was now only five seats behind the Liberals. He began to believe that the Liberals would eventually disappear, with their supporters being split between Reform and Labour
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....
- the socially liberal wing to Labour and the economically liberal wing to Reform. Massey set about trying to ensure that Reform's gain would be the greater.
In 1924, however, illness forced Massey to relinquish many of his official duties. The following year, he died of his illness. The Massey Memorial
Massey Memorial
The Massey Memorial is the mausoleum of New Zealand Prime Minister William Massey. It is located on Point Halswell on the Miramar Peninsula, Wellington, New Zealand.-History:...
was erected as his mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
in Wellington, paid for mostly by public subscription. Massey University
Massey University
Massey University is one of New Zealand's largest universities with approximately 36,000 students, 20,000 of whom are extramural students.The University has campuses in Palmerston North , Wellington and Auckland . Massey offers most of its degrees extramurally within New Zealand and internationally...
is also named after him - the name was chosen because the university initially had a focus on agricultural science
Agricultural science
Agricultural science is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. -Agriculture and agricultural science:The two terms are often confused...
, matching Massey's own farming background.
List of honours
-
Grand Officier de la Légion d'HonneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(France) - Grand Officer of the Order of the CrownOrder of the Crown (Belgium)The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts...
(Belgium)
Trivia
- William Massey's widow, Christina, was awarded the GBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1926, one year after the death of her husband. - William Massey was New Zealand's second longest-serving Prime Minister, after Richard SeddonRichard SeddonRichard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
. (See List of New Zealand Prime Ministers by term) - Two of William and Christina Massey's sons became Reform MPs: John Norman MasseyJohn Norman MasseyJohn Norman Massey was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party and then the National Party.He represented the Franklin electorate from 1928 to 1935, when he was defeated by Arthur Sexton of the Country Party. He was re-elected in 1938, and held the seat for National, until he was deselected...
(1885–1964) who represented his father's Franklin electorateFranklin (New Zealand electorate)Franklin was a rural New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It existed from 1861 to 1996 during four periods.-Population centres:The original electorate from 1861 to 1881 included the South Auckland towns of Papatoetoe, Papakura, Pukekohe and Waiuku, and west of Waiuku to the West Coast...
from 1928 to 1935 and from 1938 to 1957 (for National); and Walter William MasseyWalter William MasseyWalter William Massey was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Hauraki electorate from the 1931 by-election , to 1935 when he was defeated by Charles Robert Petrie of the Labour Party.He was a son of Prime Minister William Massey, and brother of John Norman Massey who...
(1882–1959) who represented the Hauraki electorateHauraki (New Zealand electorate)Hauraki is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1928 to 1987 and 1993 to 1996. In the 1987 general election it was renamed Coromandel, the name that had been used from 1972 to 1981...
from 1931 to 1935.