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John Ballance | |
|---|---|
 Ballance c. 1880 | |
| 14th Premier of New Zealand | |
| In office 24 January 1891 – 27 April 1893† | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governor | William Onslow David Boyle |
| Preceded by | Harry Atkinson |
| Succeeded by | Richard Seddon |
| 1st Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 2 July 1889 – 23 January 1891 | |
| Deputy | Richard Seddon |
| Succeeded by | John Bryce |
| 17th Minister of Lands | |
| In office 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Stout |
| Preceded by | Richmond Hursthouse |
| Succeeded by | George Richardson |
| 5th Minister of Defence | |
| In office 16 July 1884 – 8 October 1887 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Stout |
| Preceded by | John Bryce |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Fergus |
| 1st Minister of Education | |
| In office 12 January 1878 – 1 July 1879 | |
| Prime Minister | George Grey |
| Succeeded by | William Rolleston |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wanganui | |
| In office 22 July 1884 – 27 April 1893 | |
| Preceded by | William Hogg Watt |
| Succeeded by | Archibald Willis |
| In office 5 September 1879 – 9 December 1881 | |
| Preceded by | William Fox |
| Succeeded by | William Hogg Watt |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Rangitikei | |
| In office 24 April 1875 – 5 September 1879 | |
| Preceded by | William Fox |
| Succeeded by | William Willis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 March 1839 Glenavy, Ulster, Ireland |
| Died | 27 April 1893 (aged 54) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Fanny Taylor (m. 1863, d. 1868) Ellen Anderson (m. 1870) |
| Children | 1 (adopted) |
| Parent(s) | Samuel Ballance Mary McNiece |
| Awards | New Zealand Medal |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | New Zealand Army |
| Years of service | 1868–69 |
| Rank | Cornet |
| Battles/wars | New Zealand Wars |
John Ballance (27 March 1839 – 27 April 1893) was an Irish-born New Zealand politician who served as the 14th premier of New Zealand from January 1891 until his death in April 1893. He 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.
Born in Ireland, Ballance emigrated to New Zealand in 1866, where he initially worked as a journalist before entering politics. He represented Whanganui in Parliament, and was known for his progressive and reformist views. Elected leader of the Opposition in 1889, Ballance led liberal factions to victory in the 1890 election. His Liberal Government implemented progressive policies, including land reform, and introduced a land tax influenced by Georgist principles.[1] It also laid the groundwork for women's suffrage, achieved shortly after his death.
Ballance emphasised egalitarianism and sought to balance the interests of urban workers and rural farmers. Despite his relatively short tenure, his reforms profoundly influenced the country's political landscape. Ballance died in office in 1893. He was succeeded as head of government by Richard Seddon.
- ^ Daunton, M. J. State and market in Victorian Britain : war, welfare and capitalism. Woodbridge, UK Rochester, NY: Boydell Press, 2008. Quote: "In the election of 1890 he campaigned for radical land reform, arguing for a tax on the 'unearned increment', and advocated the programme of Henry George as a means of 'bursting up the great estates'."