John Ballance

John Ballance
Ballance c. 1880
14th Premier of New Zealand
In office
24 January 1891 – 27 April 1893†
MonarchVictoria
GovernorWilliam Onslow
David Boyle
Preceded byHarry Atkinson
Succeeded byRichard Seddon
1st Leader of the Opposition
In office
2 July 1889 – 23 January 1891
DeputyRichard Seddon
Succeeded byJohn Bryce
17th Minister of Lands
In office
3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Prime MinisterRobert Stout
Preceded byRichmond Hursthouse
Succeeded byGeorge Richardson
5th Minister of Defence
In office
16 July 1884 – 8 October 1887
Prime MinisterRobert Stout
Preceded byJohn Bryce
Succeeded byThomas Fergus
1st Minister of Education
In office
12 January 1878 – 1 July 1879
Prime MinisterGeorge Grey
Succeeded byWilliam Rolleston
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Wanganui
In office
22 July 1884 – 27 April 1893
Preceded byWilliam Hogg Watt
Succeeded byArchibald Willis
In office
5 September 1879 – 9 December 1881
Preceded byWilliam Fox
Succeeded byWilliam Hogg Watt
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rangitikei
In office
24 April 1875 – 5 September 1879
Preceded byWilliam Fox
Succeeded byWilliam Willis
Personal details
Born(1839-03-27)27 March 1839
Glenavy, Ulster, Ireland
Died27 April 1893(1893-04-27) (aged 54)
Wellington, New Zealand
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Fanny Taylor (m. 1863, d. 1868)
Ellen Anderson (m. 1870)
Children1 (adopted)
Parent(s)Samuel Ballance
Mary McNiece
AwardsNew Zealand Medal
Signature
Military service
AllegianceNew Zealand Army
Years of service1868–69
RankCornet
Battles/warsNew 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. Elected Leader of the Opposition in 1889, he led liberal factions to victory in the election of 1890. After the election he would form the Liberal Party, New Zealand's first formal political party. Ballance supported women's suffrage and land reform. As a Georgist, he introduced a land tax to New Zealand.[1]

  1. ^ 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'."

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