Young New Zealand Party
Encyclopedia
The Young New Zealand Party was a faction in the New Zealand Parliament in the 19th century. It predated the creation of political parties
as they are understood today.
The Young New Zealand Party was generally reformist in outlook, and would probably be considered left-wing in modern terms. It had connections to the labour movement
(particularly miners), to small farmers, and to small businessmen. It was contrasted with another reformist faction, led by Julius Vogel
, Robert Stout
, and John Ballance
. This group pursued a more academic type of reform, focused around socially liberal
causes such as women's suffrage
and Māori rights. Both groups were originally part of a government led by George Grey
, but fractured after Grey's government was defeated.
Key figures in the Young New Zealand Party were William Montgomery
(the de facto leader), Richard Seddon
, James McGowan, John McKenzie
, Joseph Ward
and William Hall-Jones
. The group had no formal organisation, and had no membership or structure outside Parliament.
Later, many of members of the Young New Zealand Party would, along with members of the other reformist faction, establish the Liberal Party
. Three members of the Young New Zealand Party, being Seddon, Ward, and Hall-Jones, would serve as Prime Minister
.
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...
as they are understood today.
The Young New Zealand Party was generally reformist in outlook, and would probably be considered left-wing in modern terms. It had connections to the labour movement
Labour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
(particularly miners), to small farmers, and to small businessmen. It was contrasted with another reformist faction, led by Julius Vogel
Julius Vogel
Sir Julius Vogel, KCMG was the eighth Premier of New Zealand. His administration is best remembered for the issuing of bonds to fund railway construction and other public works...
, Robert Stout
Robert Stout
Sir Robert Stout, KCMG was the 13th Premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices...
, and 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:...
. This group pursued a more academic type of reform, focused around socially liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
causes such as women's suffrage
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
and Māori rights. Both groups were originally part of a government led by George Grey
George Edward Grey
Sir George Grey, KCB was a soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Cape Colony , the 11th Premier of New Zealand and a writer.-Early life and exploration:...
, but fractured after Grey's government was defeated.
Key figures in the Young New Zealand Party were William Montgomery
William Montgomery (New Zealand)
The Hon. William John Alexander Montgomery was a New Zealand politician from Little River on Banks Peninsula, and a merchant. Born in London, he lived in a number of places and pursued a number of occupations before settling in Christchurch, New Zealand.-Early life:Montgomery was from an old...
(the de facto leader), Richard Seddon
Richard 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....
, James McGowan, John McKenzie
John McKenzie (New Zealand)
Sir John McKenzie KCMG was a New Zealand politician. He served as Minister of Lands and Agriculture in the Liberal Government of John Ballance.-Early life:...
, 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:...
and William Hall-Jones
William Hall-Jones
Sir William Hall-Jones, KCMG was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of Richard Seddon and the return from overseas of Joseph Ward....
. The group had no formal organisation, and had no membership or structure outside Parliament.
Later, many of members of the Young New Zealand Party would, along with members of the other reformist faction, establish 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...
. Three members of the Young New Zealand Party, being Seddon, Ward, and Hall-Jones, would serve 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...
.