John Ballance

John Ballance (1839–1893) arrived in New Zealand in 1866. He settled in Wanganui, and established the Evening Herald newspaper. During the fighting of 1868–69 he was both a soldier and a war correspondent. In 1875 he was elected to Parliament representing Rangitikei. He became Colonial Treasurer in 1878, and in 1884 he became Native Minister in the Stout–Vogel ministry.

Ballance's policies, aimed at protecting Maori land, have been described as enlightened, if somewhat paternalistic. He also favoured taking troops out of sensitive areas, believing that they increased tension. It was his suggestion that Ngati Tuwharetoa donate land to become Tongariro National Park.

But Ballance allowed the cutbacks in spending on Maori affairs instituted by his predecessors to continue. In addition, his 1886 Native Land Administration Act disappointed many Maori who sought real control over their lands. In 1891 Ballance became Premier and formed the country’s first Liberal government. In 1893 he helped win women the right to vote.

• Read a biography of John Ballance (DNZB) 

Quote

In debate on the Native Lands Bill

If we can by any means arrive at the end we have in view – namely, the colonisation of Native lands – I shall not be particular so long as the means are justifiable. The end that we have in view is the colonising of the Native lands; and another end, of course, is to satisfy the sense of justice in the Native mind with regard to how these lands are dealt with. These are the things that must be provided for. We have never parted with our right to say whether the Native lands shall be colonised or not. In the Treaty of Waitangi, which is the foundation of the Native rights, we reserved the absolute right of purchasing and of colonising Native lands ... [At] all the Native meetings, the maintenance of the Treaty of Waitangi has been advocated by almost every chief, yet ... they tell [the Native Minister] that the fundamental principle [the Crown's pre-emption of Maori land] in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was given in exchange for the sovereignty, should be abrogated. If that is so, never let the Natives speak of the treaty again ... [T]he question to be considered is, whether the principles of the treaty are applicable to the present time and circumstances.

New Zealand Parliamentary Debates, 11 July 1888, vol. 61, 1888, p. 676.