1893 Richard Seddon becomes Premier

Richard Seddon became the Liberal Party’s second premier, following John Ballance’s death in office at the end of April. Immortalised as ‘King Dick’, Seddon was to dominate the New Zealand political landscape for the next 13 years. He remains this country’s longest-serving prime minister.

During the 1870s Seddon became active in local politics. In 1879 he was elected to Parliament for Hokitika, and he later represented the Westland seat. In the House Seddon became notorious for his wordiness, and was ridiculed as boorish. Some of his critics accused him of being only ‘partially civilised’. But his identification with the common man became a major asset. Personal attacks rebounded against his critics. He was a very astute politician who turned his apparent lack of sophistication to his advantage.

When the Liberals took office in 1891, Seddon was appointed to Cabinet. Among many portfolios, he was Native Minister from 1893 to 1899. As a result of pressure from the Kotahitanga movement, in 1900 Seddon ended a period of extensive purchases of Māori land. The introduction of Maori Councils and Maori Land Boards also gave Māori some control over land loss, and community health and welfare. However, settlers forced a reversal of Seddon’s Māori land and social policies in 1905. As a result, the alienation of Māori land increased rapidly.

The Liberal government was responsible for the passage of a number of laws designed to improve life for ‘ordinary New Zealanders’. The industrial arbitration system, restrictions on working hours for women and youth, and old-age pensions led some observers to describe New Zealand as a ‘social laboratory’ and ‘working man’s paradise’, and cemented the place of Seddon and the Liberals in New Zealand history.

Image: Richard Seddon asleep during committee