New Zealand Democrat Party
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Democrat Party was a political party
in New Zealand
, founded in 1934 with the purpose of opposing "socialist
" legislation
by the government.
The Democrat Party was founded and developed by Albert Davy
, a prominent political organiser of the time. Davy had worked first for the Reform Party
, then for the United Party
, and finally for Reform again. He was highly effective in both campaign management and fundraising, but often came into conflict with those he worked for. Politically, Davy was an advocate of reducing
the size of government, and of minimising government intervention in the business world — the slogan "More Business in Government, Less Government in Business", once used by the Reform Party, was thought up by Davy. When the United Party and the Reform Party formed a coalition, Davy initially supported it, but later resigned in protest at the legislation the coalition enacted to counter the Great Depression
. Davy denounced the coalition as "socialistic by inclination, action and fact".
In 1934, Davy was approached by William Goodfellow, a wealthy Auckland
businessman and industrialist. Goodfellow strongly opposed the economic policies of the United-Reform coalition, and was also concerned by the rise of the Labour Party
. Goodfellow hoped that a small but committed party could hold the balance of power in Parliament
, and force the government to adopt more business-friendly policies. It was hoped by Goodfellow and his allies that Davy's talents could create an effective organisation.
So the New Zealand Democrat Party was founded. Its primary base of support was the business community, particularly in Auckland. Before long, however, Davy and Goodfellow came into conflict. The most notable cause for dispute was the scale of Davy's plans — Goodfellow had wanted a small party focused on winning a select few seats, but Davy was recruiting candidates as though the Democrats were a major party. Goodfellow tried to remove Davy from the chairmanship of the Democrats in July 1935, and later initiated court proceedings to recover part of the salary Davy had been paid. Davy remained in office, however, and the Democrat Party continued on. A former Mayor of Wellington
, Thomas Charles Hislop, was recruited as the party's political leader, while Davy remained its chief organiser and strategist.
In the 1935 elections
, Davy's campaign was not as effective as his previous efforts. The Democrats fielded fifty-one candidates, but did not win any seats. In total, they won around 7.9% of the national vote (66,965 votes). Despite their failure to enter Parliament, their impact on the election may have been the opposite to what was intended — by splitting the anti-Labour vote they probably contributed to Labour's overwhelming victory in 1935. Among their candidates were future National
MPs Frederick Doidge
and Matthew Oram
.
Davy himself went on to found the People's Movement
and the New Zealand Co-operative Party
but eventually retired from politics and returned to business.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
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...
, founded in 1934 with the purpose of opposing "socialist
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,...
" legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
by the government.
The Democrat Party was founded and developed by Albert Davy
Albert Davy
Albert Ernest Davy was a New Zealand political organiser and campaign manager; and at the height of his career, was regarded by some as the best in the country...
, a prominent political organiser of the time. Davy had worked first for 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...
, then for the United Party
United 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 finally for Reform again. He was highly effective in both campaign management and fundraising, but often came into conflict with those he worked for. Politically, Davy was an advocate of reducing
Minarchism
Minarchism has been variously defined by sources. It is a libertarian capitalist political philosophy. In the strictest sense, it maintains that the state is necessary and that its only legitimate function is the protection of individuals from aggression, theft, breach of contract, and fraud, and...
the size of government, and of minimising government intervention in the business world — the slogan "More Business in Government, Less Government in Business", once used by the Reform Party, was thought up by Davy. When the United Party and the Reform Party formed a coalition, Davy initially supported it, but later resigned in protest at the legislation the coalition enacted to counter the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Davy denounced the coalition as "socialistic by inclination, action and fact".
In 1934, Davy was approached by William Goodfellow, a wealthy Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
businessman and industrialist. Goodfellow strongly opposed the economic policies of the United-Reform coalition, and was also concerned by the rise of the 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....
. Goodfellow hoped that a small but committed party could hold the balance of power in Parliament
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
, and force the government to adopt more business-friendly policies. It was hoped by Goodfellow and his allies that Davy's talents could create an effective organisation.
So the New Zealand Democrat Party was founded. Its primary base of support was the business community, particularly in Auckland. Before long, however, Davy and Goodfellow came into conflict. The most notable cause for dispute was the scale of Davy's plans — Goodfellow had wanted a small party focused on winning a select few seats, but Davy was recruiting candidates as though the Democrats were a major party. Goodfellow tried to remove Davy from the chairmanship of the Democrats in July 1935, and later initiated court proceedings to recover part of the salary Davy had been paid. Davy remained in office, however, and the Democrat Party continued on. A former Mayor of Wellington
Mayor of Wellington
The Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of Wellington, New Zealand, and presides over the Wellington City Council. The Mayor of Wellington administers only Wellington City itself — other municipalities in adjacent areas of the Wellington Region such as Lower Hutt, Upper...
, Thomas Charles Hislop, was recruited as the party's political leader, while Davy remained its chief organiser and strategist.
In the 1935 elections
New Zealand general election, 1935
The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 25th term. It resulted in the Labour Party's first electoral victory, with Michael Joseph Savage becoming the first Labour Prime Minister...
, Davy's campaign was not as effective as his previous efforts. The Democrats fielded fifty-one candidates, but did not win any seats. In total, they won around 7.9% of the national vote (66,965 votes). Despite their failure to enter Parliament, their impact on the election may have been the opposite to what was intended — by splitting the anti-Labour vote they probably contributed to Labour's overwhelming victory in 1935. Among their candidates were future National
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
MPs Frederick Doidge
Frederick Doidge
Sir Frederick Widdowson Doidge, GCMG, was a journalist in New Zealand and England, then a National Party member in the New Zealand House of Representatives....
and Matthew Oram
Matthew Oram
Sir Matthew Henry Oram MBE was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was the 13th Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 1950 to 1957....
.
Davy himself went on to found the People's Movement
People's Movement (New Zealand)
The People's Movement was a political party in New Zealand. It was active in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and was individualist in outlook. It campaigned for a reduction in the size of government, a reform of the civil service, a limit on the powers of political parties, and an end to the...
and the New Zealand Co-operative Party
New Zealand Co-operative Party
The New Zealand Co-operative Party was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was founded in 1942 by anti-socialist political organiser Albert Davy after he left the People's Movement. Davy had previously managed a number of successful political campaigns for other parties, but had...
but eventually retired from politics and returned to business.