View source for John Ballance

{{Short description|Premier of New Zealand from 1891 to 1893}}
{{hatnote|For the musician, see [[John Balance]]}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
|name             = John Ballance
|honorific-suffix = 
|image            = John Ballance 1880.jpg
|caption          = Ballance {{circa|1880}}
|monarch          = [[Queen Victoria|Victoria]]
|governor         = [[William Onslow, 4th Earl of Onslow|William Onslow]]<br />[[David Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow|David Boyle]]
|order            = 14th [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Premier of New Zealand]]
|term_start       = 24 January 1891
|term_end         = 27 April 1893†
|predecessor      = [[Harry Atkinson]]
|successor        = [[Richard Seddon]]
|office2          = 1st [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]]
|term_start2      = 2 July 1889
|term_end2        = 23 January 1891
|deputy2          = [[Richard Seddon]]
|successor2       = [[John Bryce]]
| order3          = 17th [[Minister of Lands (New Zealand)|Minister of Lands]]
| primeminister3  = [[Robert Stout]]
| predecessor3    = [[Richmond Hursthouse]]
| successor3      = [[George Richardson (New Zealand politician)|George Richardson]]
| term_start3     = 3 September 1884
| term_end3       = 8 October 1887
| order4          = 5th [[Minister of Defence (New Zealand)|Minister of Defence]]
| primeminister4  = [[Robert Stout]]
| predecessor4    = [[John Bryce]]<!-- as Minister of Native Affairs and Defence -->
| successor4      = [[Thomas Fergus]]
| term_start4     = 16 July 1884
| term_end4       = 8 October 1887
| order6          = 1st [[Minister of Education (New Zealand)|Minister of Education]]
| primeminister6  = [[George Grey]]
| predecessor6    = 
| successor6      = [[William Rolleston]]
| term_start6     = 12 January 1878
| term_end6       = 1 July 1879
|constituency_MP7 = [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]]
|parliament7      =  New Zealand
|term_start7      =  22 July 1884
|term_end7        =  27 April 1893
|predecessor7     =  [[William Hogg Watt]]
|successor7       =  [[Archibald Willis]]
|term_start8      =  5 September 1879
|term_end8        =  9 December 1881
|predecessor8     =  [[William Fox (politician)|William Fox]]
|successor8       =  William Hogg Watt
|constituency_MP9 = [[Rangitikei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]]
|parliament9      = New Zealand
|term_start9      = 24 April 1875
|term_end9        = 5 September 1879
|predecessor9     = William Fox
|successor9       = [[William Jarvis Willis|William Willis]]
|birth_date       = {{birth date|1839|3|27|df=y}}
|birth_place      = [[Glenavy]], Ulster, Ireland
|death_date       = {{death date and age|1893|4|27|1839|3|27|df=y}}
|death_place      = [[Wellington]], New Zealand
|spouse           = Fanny Taylor (m. 1863, d. 1868) <br /> [[Ellen Ballance|Ellen Anderson]] (m. 1870)
|children         = 1 <small>(adopted)</small>
|parents          = Samuel Ballance <br /> Mary McNiece
|party            = [[New Zealand Liberal Party|Liberal]]
|signature        = John Ballance Signature.jpg
<!--Military service-->
|nickname     = 
|allegiance   = [[New Zealand Army]]
|branch       = 
|serviceyears = 1868–69
|rank         = [[Cornet (military rank)|Cornet]]
|unit         = 
|commands     = 
|battles      = [[New Zealand Wars]]
|awards       = [[New Zealand Medal]]
}}
{{Template:Georgism|politicians}}
'''John Ballance''' (27 March 1839 – 27 April 1893) was a 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 [[List of political parties in New Zealand|political party]], the [[New Zealand Liberal Party]], which was formed shortly after the [[1890 New Zealand general election|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 (New Zealand electorate)|Whanganui]] in Parliament, and was known for his [[progressivism|progressive]] and [[reformist]] views. Elected [[Leader of the Opposition (New_Zealand)|leader of the Opposition]] in [[1889 New_Zealand Liberal Party leadership election|1889]], Ballance led [[Historic liberalism in New Zealand|liberal factions]] to victory in the 1890 election. His [[Liberal Government of New Zealand|Liberal Government]] implemented progressive policies, including [[land reform]], and introduced a land tax influenced by [[Georgist]] principles.<ref>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'."</ref>  It also laid the groundwork for [[Women's suffrage in New Zealand|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]].

==Early life==
The eldest son of Samuel Ballance, a tenant farmer, and Mary McNiece, Ballance was born on 27 March 1839 in [[Glenavy]] in [[County Antrim]] Ireland (modern-day Northern Ireland).<ref name="Ballance DNZB">{{DNZB|last=McIvor |first=Timothy L. |id=2b5 |title= Ballance, John |access-date=4 April 2011}}</ref> He was educated at a national school, then apprenticed to an ironmonger in [[Belfast]]. He later became a clerk in a wholesale ironmonger's house in [[Birmingham]], where he married. Ballance was highly interested in literature, and was known for spending vast amounts of time reading books.{{sfn|Ross|1966|p=}} He also became interested in politics, mostly due to the influence of his parents – his father was active in conservative circles, while his mother was a liberal and a [[Quaker]]. It was from his mother that Ballance gained many of the ideas he was later to promote. Having witnessed religious rioting when in Belfast, he became committed to the principle of [[secularism]].<ref name="Ballance DNZB" />

[[File:John Ballance, ca 1870.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Ballance in around 1870]]
In 1866, Ballance and his wife migrated to New Zealand, intending to start in business as a small jeweller. After settling in [[Wanganui, New Zealand|Wanganui]], however, he took an opportunity to found a newspaper, ''[[The Wanganui Herald]]''.<ref>{{cite web  | title = Wanganui Herald  | work = Papers Past  | publisher = [[National Library of New Zealand]]  | url = http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=CL1.WH&essay=1  | access-date = 12 January 2013}}</ref> He became the editor, and remained chief owner for the rest of his life. During the fighting with the [[Māori people|Māori]] chief [[Titokowaru]] in 1867, Ballance was involved in the raising of a volunteer cavalry troop, in which he received a commission. He was later deprived of this owing to the appearance in the Herald of articles criticising the management of the campaign.{{sfn|Ross|1966|p=}} He behaved well in the field, and, in spite of his dismissal, was awarded the New Zealand Medal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.theballancehouse.com/about-us |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=ULSTER NEW ZEALAND TRUST AT THE BALLANCE HOUSE |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following the conflict, Ballance's status in [[Wanganui]] grew. He was respected for his management of the Herald, particularly his forthright and direct approach to reporting. He became increasingly involved in the affairs of the town, establishing a number of societies and associations. Perhaps the least important to Wanganui but among the most important to him was the [[chess]] club – he became a skilled player. In 1868 his wife Fanny died of illness, aged only 24. Two years later, he married [[Ellen Ballance|Ellen Anderson]], the daughter of a [[Wellington]] merchant.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" />

==Member of Parliament==
{{NZ parlbox header|nolist=true|align=left}}
{{NZ parlbox
 |electorate = [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]]
 |party      = Independent politician
 |start      = [[1875 Rangitikei by-election|1875]]
 |end        = 1876
 |term       = 5th
}}
{{NZ parlbox
 |electorate = Rangitikei
 |party      = Independent politician
 |start      = [[1875–1876 New Zealand general election|1876]]<!-- election held on 5 January 1876 -->
 |end        = 1879
 |term       = 6th
}}
{{NZ parlbox
 |electorate = [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]]
 |party      = Independent politician
 |start      = [[1879 New Zealand general election|1879]]
 |end        = 1881
 |term       = 7th
}}
{{NZ parlbox break}}
{{NZ parlbox
 |electorate = Wanganui
 |party      = Independent politician
 |start      = [[1884 New Zealand general election|1884]]
 |end        = 1887
 |term       = 9th
}}
{{NZ parlbox
 |electorate = Wanganui
 |party      = Independent politician
 |start      = [[1887 New Zealand general election|1887]]
 |end        = 1890
 |term       = 10th
}}
{{NZ parlbox
 |electorate = Wanganui
 |party      = New Zealand Liberal Party
 |start      = [[1890 New Zealand general election|1890]]
 |end        = 1893
 |term       = 11th}}
{{NZ parlbox footer}}
Ballance first contemplated moving into national politics in 1872, putting his name forward as a candidate for the seat of [[Egmont (New Zealand electorate)|Egmont]] in a [[1872 Egmont by-election|parliamentary by-election]]. However, Ballance withdrew from the ballot before the vote was held.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" /> In 1875, Ballance entered [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]], having won [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]] in [[1875 Rangitikei by-election|a by-election]]. He campaigned on two major issues – the abolition of the provinces (widely regarded as incompetent, petty, and obstructive) and the provision of free education. Ballance soon made his presence felt in Wellington. The abolition of the provinces occurred in 1876 under [[Julius Vogel]]—after which Ballance turned his attention to promoting closer land settlement, considering it the main political issue of the day.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" />

===Grey Ministry===
In 1877, Ballance entered the cabinet of Sir [[George Grey]], a former [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor]] who was then Premier. Grey's policies were not closely aligned with those of Ballance, but Ballance believed that he could nevertheless accomplish something worthwhile. He was Minister of Customs, [[Minister of Education (New Zealand)|Minister of Education]], and later [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Colonial Treasurer]]. His appointment to head the treasury was a surprise to most, giving a high office to a relative newcomer on the political stage.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" />

On 6 August 1878, Ballance delivered a financial statement, which was seen as the most significant since the public works announcement by Julius Vogel in 1870.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" /> 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. His alliance with Grey ended with a notorious and very painful quarrel. Ballance found Grey far too controlling and authoritarian, resigning his portfolios yet still gave him confidence in the house.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" />

From [[1879 New Zealand general election|1879]] Ballance represented [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]], but in [[1881 New Zealand general election|1881]] he lost by just four votes (393 to 397), and it was reported that seven of his supporters were too late to vote as their carriage broke down.{{sfn|McIvor|1989|p=105}} He returned to Parliament for Wanganui in [[1884 New Zealand general election|1884]].

===Stout Ministry===
[[File:John Ballance (Photo).jpg |thumbnail|left|Ballance in around 1880]]
On re-election as an Independent in 1884, Ballance became a minister in the [[Cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet]] of [[Robert Stout]], a fellow liberal. He was Minister of Lands and Immigration, [[Minister of Defence (New Zealand)|Minister of Defence]] and [[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]] (relations with Māori). In his role as Minister of Lands he encouraged intensive settlement of rural areas, aiming to increase the number of people leaving the cities to "work the land", which he believed was essential to increase productivity and self-sufficiency. His system of state-aided "village settlements" – small holdings were leased by the Crown to farmers and money lent them to make a beginning of building and cultivation – was generally successful.{{sfn|McIvor|1989|p=112–114}}

Despite this desire for increased settlement of colonist-held land, he strongly supported the rights of Māori to retain the land they still held – many other politicians of his time believed that acquisition of Māori land was essential for increasing settlement. He reduced military presence in areas where strong tensions with Māori existed, and made an attempt to familiarise himself with Māori language and culture. In 1887 Stout's government lost the [[1887 New Zealand general election|general election]], but Ballance remained popular. Illness initially prevented his full participation in politics, but with his recovery in [[1889_New_Zealand_Liberal_Party_leadership_election|July 1889]] he became [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]].{{sfn|Reeves|1901}}

==Premier==
{{main|Liberal Government of New Zealand}}
[[File:JohnBallanceCrop gobeirne.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A statue of John Ballance outside the [[New Zealand Parliamentary Library|Parliamentary Library]] in Wellington]]
In 1890 Ballance led a loose coalition of liberal politicians to victory in the general election. The more liberal minded candidates at the election fared well as there was public discontent with the sitting administration. The background of the election was filled with strikes and [[Economic_history_of_New_Zealand#Depression|an economic recession]]. [[Harry Atkinson]], the Premier who had defeated Stout, was forced to resign, but not before stacking the [[New Zealand Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] with his supporters. This was a serious problem for Ballance's premiership but he was able to overcome it, partly by reducing the life-tenure of legislative councillors to one term of seven years. {{sfn|Reeves|1901}} His successful battle with the Governor over changes to the Legislative Council helped define the relationship between the elected Premier and the appointed Governor, mostly in the Premier's favour.{{sfn|Ross|1966|p=}}

As leader of Parliament's liberal faction, he brought his allies and colleagues into the [[New Zealand Liberal Party|Liberal Party]], New Zealand's first political party, intended to embody the liberal ideas of Stout, Vogel, and Ballance himself. The next four premiers were from the party, although some (such as [[Richard Seddon]]) were more conservative than Ballance. Quiet and unassuming in manner and well read, Ballance always seemed fonder of his books and his chessboard than of public bustle. He has been described as "unassuming and unpretentious", and was quiet, polite, and extremely patient.{{sfn|Ross|1966|p=}}

After hand-picking a cabinet of men of considerable talent, Ballance led the government through two difficult years of economic reform. He appointed himself as Treasurer, and in this capacity, in 1891, he implemented new [[land tax|land]] and [[progressive tax|progressive]] [[income tax|income taxes]], similar to that of the taxes introduced under Grey, though more radical.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" /> Several other notable pieces of legislation were passed by Ballance in this period, such as the Land Act 1892 and the Land for Settlements Act 1892. Despite initial outcry, the tax was seen as equitable by the people, who eventually found themselves better off as a result of such a great decrease in direct taxations.{{sfn|McIvor|1989|p=219}} He was widely praised for his handling of the economy, which expanded greatly during his term. {{sfn|Reeves|1901}}

Ballance was actively involved in the advocacy of [[Women's_suffrage_in_New_Zealand|women's suffrage]], declaring to Parliament that he believed in the "absolute equality of the sexes."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=5 November 2020 |title=Death of Premier John Ballance |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/death-of-premier-john-ballance |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=NZHistory |publisher=Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage}}</ref> This was a cause he had partially inherited from his colleague in the Stout government, [[Julius Vogel]], and in which he was influenced by his politically astute wife.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Easton |first=Brian |date=2004-08-07 |title=John Ballance: Nationbuilder {{!}} Brian Easton |url=https://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/2004/08/john_ballance_nationbuilder/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Death==
[[File:John Ballance Gravestone Whanganui.jpg|thumbnail|Ballance's gravestone in Whanganui]]
In 1893, at the height of his success and popularity, he died in Wellington of cancer.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" /><ref name=":0" /> He was succeeded by [[Richard Seddon]] despite supporting Stout as his preferred successor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2017 |title=Robert Stout |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/sir-robert-stout |publisher=Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage}}</ref> He was the first New Zealand Prime Minister to die in office.

A state funeral was held for Ballance in Whanganui on 30 April 1893, and he was buried in Whanganui the same day.<ref name="Ballance DNZB"></ref>

A statue was erected to his memory in front of [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings|Parliament House]], Wellington, in front of what is now the parliamentary library – Parliament has since moved to a bigger, adjacent building.<ref name="Ballance DNZB" /> Another statue was erected in [[Moutoa Gardens]] in Wanganui.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schrader |first=Ben |date=20 June 2012 |title=Ballance beheaded |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/35094/ballance-beheaded |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
*{{cite book | last=McIvor | first=Timothy | title=The Rainmaker: A biography of John Ballance journalist and politician 1839–1893 | publisher=Heinemann Reed | location=Auckland | year=1989 | isbn=978-0-7900-0024-4 }}
*{{cite DNBSupp|wstitle=Ballance, John|first=William Pember |last=Reeves}}
*{{citation |first = Angus |last = Ross |title = Ballance, John|encyclopedia=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock|year=1966 |url = http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/1966/B/BallanceJohn/en |access-date = 24 April 2008}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Ballance, John}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{citation |first = Raewyn |last = Dalziel |author-link=Raewyn Dalziel |title = The 'Continuous Ministry' revisited |journal=New Zealand Journal of History |volume = 21 |issue = 1 |pages = 46–61 |year = 1987}}
*{{citation |first = Ernest D. |last = Hoben | author-link=Ernest Hoben | title = In memoriam: John Ballance, Premier of New Zealand : born Glenavy, Antrim, March&nbsp;27, 1839; died Wellington, N.Z., April&nbsp;27, 1893: the story of his illness, death and burial |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher=Printed at the Evening Post Office |year = 1893}}
*{{citation |first = Peter J. |last = Lineham |title = Freethinkers in nineteenth-century New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of History |volume = 19 |issue = 1 |pages = 61–81 |year = 1985}}
{{Refend}}

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|-
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{{s-ttl | title = [[Minister of Education (New Zealand)|Minister of Education]] | years=1878–1879}}
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{{John Ballance |state=collapsed}}
{{New Zealand prime ministers}}
{{NZ Liberal Party}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballance, John}}
[[Category:1839 births]]
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[[Category:New Zealand people of Irish descent]]
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