1. John Ballance was a New Zealand politician who served as the 14th premier of New Zealand from January 1891 until his death in April 1893.
34 Facts About John Ballance
1. 2.
John Ballance governed as the leader of New Zealand's first organised political party, the New Zealand Liberal Party, which was formed shortly after the 1890 election.
3.
John Ballance represented Whanganui in Parliament, and was known for his progressive and reformist views.
4.
John Ballance emphasised egalitarianism and sought to balance the interests of urban workers and rural farmers.
5.
John Ballance was succeeded as head of government by Richard Seddon.
6.
The eldest son of Samuel John Ballance, a tenant farmer, and Mary McNiece, John Ballance was born on 27 March 1839 in Glenavy in County Antrim Ireland.
7.
John Ballance was educated at a national school, then apprenticed to an ironmonger in Belfast.
8.
John Ballance later became a clerk in a wholesale ironmonger's house in Birmingham, where he married.
9.
John Ballance was highly interested in literature, and was known for spending vast amounts of time reading books.
10.
John Ballance became the editor, and remained chief owner for the rest of his life.
11.
John Ballance was later deprived of this owing to the appearance in the Herald of articles criticising the management of the campaign.
12.
John Ballance behaved well in the field, and, in spite of his dismissal, was awarded the New Zealand Medal.
13.
John Ballance was respected for his management of the Herald, particularly his forthright and direct approach to reporting.
14.
John Ballance became increasingly involved in the affairs of the town, establishing a number of societies and associations.
15.
John Ballance first contemplated moving into national politics in 1872, putting his name forward as a candidate for the seat of Egmont in a parliamentary by-election.
16.
However, John Ballance withdrew from the ballot before the vote was held.
17.
In 1875, John Ballance entered Parliament, having won Rangitikei in a by-election.
18.
In 1877, John Ballance entered the cabinet of Sir George Grey, a former Governor who was then Premier.
19.
John Ballance was Minister of Customs, Minister of Education, and later Colonial Treasurer.
20.
John Ballance's appointment to head the treasury was a surprise to most, giving a high office to a relative newcomer on the political stage.
21.
On 6 August 1878, John Ballance delivered a financial statement, which was seen as the most significant since the public works announcement by Julius Vogel in 1870.
22.
John Ballance set about reforming the tariff system by removing duties on basic necessities and introducing a modest though somewhat symbolic land tax, an idea he later revisited.
23.
John Ballance found Grey far too controlling and authoritarian, resigning his portfolios yet still gave him confidence in the house.
24.
From 1879 John Ballance represented Wanganui, but in 1881 he lost by just four votes, and it was reported that seven of his supporters were too late to vote as their carriage broke down.
25.
On re-election as an Independent in 1884, John Ballance became a minister in the Cabinet of Robert Stout, a fellow liberal.
26.
John Ballance was Minister of Lands and Immigration, Minister of Defence and Minister of Native Affairs.
27.
John Ballance reduced military presence in areas where strong tensions with Maori existed, and made an attempt to familiarise himself with Maori language and culture.
28.
In 1890 John Ballance led a loose coalition of liberal politicians to victory in the general election.
29.
Quiet and unassuming in manner and well read, John Ballance always seemed fonder of his books and his chessboard than of public bustle.
30.
John Ballance has been described as "unassuming and unpretentious", and was quiet, polite, and extremely patient.
31.
John Ballance appointed himself as Treasurer, and in this capacity, in 1891, he implemented new land and progressive income taxes, similar to that of the taxes introduced under Grey, though more radical.
32.
John Ballance was widely praised for his handling of the economy, which expanded greatly during his term.
33.
John Ballance was succeeded by Richard Seddon despite supporting Stout as his preferred successor.
34.
John Ballance was the first New Zealand Prime Minister to die in office.