1912 in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The 1911 General Election
, the first contested by the Reform Party, left parliament in an indeterminate state, with Reform holding 38 seats, Liberal
36, Labour
1 and with 5 independents.
Liberal, who had been in government for the past 21 years, claimed that Reform did not have a mandate, since many of their seats were the smaller rural electorates, and the Liberals proceeded to form a government under Joseph Ward
as per the previous two parliaments.
Such were the loyalties of the independent members that votes were often deadlocked and dependent upon the casting vote of the Speaker
. As a result, Joseph Ward resigned on March 28, to be succeeded by agriculture minister Thomas Mackenzie
. However, the government was defeated on the next occasion that parliament met, and the first Reform Government was formed under William Massey
in July.
- William Massey
(Reform Party) until July 10. The Liberal opposition had no recognised leader until the following year.
, List of New Zealand feature films , Cinema of New Zealand
, :Category:1912 films
, Order of New Zealand
New Zealand general election, 1911
The New Zealand general election of 1911 was held on Thursday, 7 and 14 December in the general electorates, and on Tuesday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 18th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, the first contested by the Reform Party, left parliament in an indeterminate state, with Reform holding 38 seats, Liberal
New Zealand Liberal Party
The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party...
36, Labour
New Zealand Labour Party (original)
The original New Zealand Labour Party was a short-lived left-wing political party in New Zealand. It is a predecessor of the modern party....
1 and with 5 independents.
Liberal, who had been in government for the past 21 years, claimed that Reform did not have a mandate, since many of their seats were the smaller rural electorates, and the Liberals proceeded to form a government under Joseph Ward
Joseph Ward
Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
as per the previous two parliaments.
Such were the loyalties of the independent members that votes were often deadlocked and dependent upon the casting vote of the Speaker
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
. As a result, Joseph Ward resigned on March 28, to be succeeded by agriculture minister Thomas Mackenzie
Thomas Mackenzie
Sir Thomas Noble Mackenzie GCMG was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London....
. However, the government was defeated on the next occasion that parliament met, and the first Reform Government was formed under William Massey
William Massey
William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
in July.
Regal and Vice Regal
- Head of StateHead of StateA head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
- George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936.... - GovernorGovernor-General of New ZealandThe Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
- The Lord IslingtonJohn Poynder Dickson, 1st Baron IslingtonJohn Poynder Dickson-Poynder, 1st Baron Islington GCMG, GBE, DSO, PC , born John Poynder Dickson and known as Sir John Poynder Dickson from 1884 to 1910, was a British politician...
GCMGOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
GBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
, succeeded the same year by The Earl of LiverpoolArthur Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool-References:...
Government
- Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the New Zealand House of RepresentativesIn New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
- Arthur GuinnessArthur Guinness (New Zealand)Sir Arthur Robert Guinness was a New Zealand politician, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.-Personal information:...
- (Liberal) - Prime MinisterPrime Minister of New ZealandThe Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
- Joseph WardJoseph WardSir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
until March 28, then Thomas MackenzieThomas MackenzieSir Thomas Noble Mackenzie GCMG was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London....
(Liberal) until July 10, then William MasseyWilliam MasseyWilliam Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
(Reform) - Minister of FinanceMinister of Finance (New Zealand)The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
- Joseph WardJoseph WardSir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
until March 28, then Arthur MyersArthur MyersSir Arthur Mielziner Myers was a New Zealand politician. He was Mayor of Auckland City from 1905 to 1909, Member of the House of Representatives from 1910 to 1921, and a Cabinet Minister...
(Liberal) until July 10, then James AllenJames Allen (New Zealand)Sir James Allen, GCMG, KCB was a prominent New Zealand politician and diplomat. He held a number of the most important political offices in the country, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also New Zealand's Minister of Defence during World War I.-Early life:Allen...
(Reform)
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Opposition (New Zealand)
The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand is the politician who, at least in theory, commands the support of the non-government bloc of members in the New Zealand Parliament. In the debating chamber the Leader of the Opposition sits directly opposite the Prime Minister...
- William Massey
William Massey
William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
(Reform Party) until July 10. The Liberal opposition had no recognised leader until the following year.
Main centre leaders
- Mayor of AucklandMayor of AucklandThe Mayor of Auckland is the directly elected head of the Auckland Council, the local government authority for the Auckland region in New Zealand...
- Christopher Parr - Mayor of WellingtonMayor of WellingtonThe Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of Wellington, New Zealand, and presides over the Wellington City Council. The Mayor of Wellington administers only Wellington City itself — other municipalities in adjacent areas of the Wellington Region such as Lower Hutt, Upper...
- David McLaren - Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- John Joseph Dougall then Henry HollandHenry Holland (mayor)Henry Holland, CBE was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party, and Mayor of Christchurch from 1912 to 1919.-Member of Parliament:... - Mayor of DunedinMayor of DunedinThe Mayor of Dunedin is the head of the municipal government of Dunedin, New Zealand, and presides over the Dunedin City Council. The Mayor is directly elected, using the Single Transferable Vote system in 2007....
- William Burnett then John Wilson
Events
- 24 February: The TSS EarnslawTSS EarnslawThe TSS Earnslaw is a 1912 Edwardian vintage twin screw steamer plying the waters of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand. It is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago, and the only remaining passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere.-History:At the beginning of the...
launched at KingstonKingston, New ZealandKingston is a small town at the southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu on the border of Otago and Southland, in New Zealand's South Island. It is 47 kilometres south of Queenstown by a road which winds between the lake to the west and The Remarkables mountains to the east...
on Lake WakatipuLake WakatipuLake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of Otago Region, near its boundary with Southland.With a length of , it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at , its third largest...
. - 28 March: Prime Minister Joseph WardJoseph WardSir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
resigns and is replaced by Thomas MackenzieThomas MackenzieSir Thomas Noble Mackenzie GCMG was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London....
. - April: Pelorus JackPelorus JackPelorus Jack was a Risso's dolphin that was famous for meeting and escorting ships through a stretch of water in Cook Strait, New Zealand, between 1888 and 1912...
is seen for the last time. - May: Waihi miners' strikeWaihi miners' strikeThe Waihi miners' strike was a major strike action in 1912 by gold miners in the New Zealand town of Waihi. It is widely regarded as the most significant industrial action in the history of New Zealand's labour movement...
commences. - 10 July: William MasseyWilliam MasseyWilliam Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
sworn in as Prime Minister after the Reform Party loses a vote of no confidence. - October: Waihi Goldmining Company reopens the mine with scab labour.
- 18 October: The TSS EarnslawTSS EarnslawThe TSS Earnslaw is a 1912 Edwardian vintage twin screw steamer plying the waters of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand. It is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago, and the only remaining passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere.-History:At the beginning of the...
makes her maiden voyage on Lake WakatipuLake WakatipuLake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of Otago Region, near its boundary with Southland.With a length of , it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at , its third largest...
, from KingstonKingston, New ZealandKingston is a small town at the southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu on the border of Otago and Southland, in New Zealand's South Island. It is 47 kilometres south of Queenstown by a road which winds between the lake to the west and The Remarkables mountains to the east...
to QueenstownQueenstown, New ZealandQueenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains....
. - 12 November: 'Black Tuesday', the peak of confrontation during the Waihi miners' strike. One trade unionist is killed.
Undated
- The School Medical Service begins in New Zealand.
- Construction of the new Parliament Buildings commences.
Film
See: :Category:1912 film awards , 1912 in film1912 in film
The year 1912 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Mack Sennett, who had previously worked as an actor and comedy director with D. W. Griffith, formed a new company with New York City entrepreneur Adam Kessel called Keystone Studios...
, List of New Zealand feature films , Cinema of New Zealand
Cinema of New Zealand
New Zealand cinema, can refer to films made by New Zealand-based production companies in New Zealand. However, it may also refer to films made about New Zealand by filmmakers from other countries...
, :Category:1912 films
Appointments and awards
See: New Zealand Order of MeritNew Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, Order of New Zealand
Order of New Zealand
The Order of New Zealand is the highest honour in New Zealand's honours system, created "to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity"...
- Archbishop of New ZealandArchbishop of New ZealandThe Archbishop of New Zealand is the primate, or head, of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. However, since Whakahuihui Vercoe stepped down at the end of his two-year term as archbishop in 2006, the church has decided that three bishops shall share the position and style of...
- Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and PolynesiaAnglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and PolynesiaThe Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is a church of the Anglican Communion serving New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands...
, see appointments to Diocese
Chess
- The 25th National Chess Championship was held in Napier, and was won by W.E. Mason of Wellington, his third title.
Men's
- The sixth New Zealand OpenNew Zealand OpenThe BMW New Zealand Open is the leading men's golf tournament in New Zealand. In 2011, it will be hosted by The Clearwater Resort in Christchurch from 1–4 December. The tournament is being promoted by New Zealand Golf...
championship was won by J.A. Clements (his third victory). - The 20th National Amateur Championships were held in Wellington
- Men: B.B. Wood (Christchurch)
Harness racing
- New Zealand Trotting CupNew Zealand Trotting CupThe New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
: Albert H. - Auckland Trotting CupAuckland Trotting CupThe Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over...
: Mandarene
Olympic Games
- New Zealand competed in the Australasian teamAustralasia at the 1912 Summer OlympicsAustralasia was the name of a combined team at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, consisting of 26 athletes from Australia and New Zealand...
. Two New Zealanders won Olympic medals, see Swimming, Tennis below.
Rugby union
- Auckland defended the Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly ShieldThe Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
against Taranaki (6-5), Wellington (12-0) and Otago (5-5)
Soccer
Provincial league champions:- Auckland: Everton Auckland
- Canterbury: Christchurch Nomads
- Otago: Mornington Dunedin
- Southland: Nightcaps
- Taranaki: Kaponga
- Wanganui: Eastbrooke
- Wellington: HospitalWestern SuburbsWestern Suburbs is an association football club in Porirua, New Zealand. They play their home matches at Endeavour Park in the Porirua suburb of Whitby and compete in the Central Premier League....
Swimming
- Malcolm ChampionMalcolm ChampionMalcolm Eadie Champion was New Zealand's first Olympic gold medallist, and the first swimmer to represent New Zealand at an Olympic Games...
was a member of the Australasian team which won the Gold medal in the Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay at the 1912 Summer OlympicsSwimming at the 1912 Summer OlympicsAt the 1912 Summer Olympics, nine swimming events were contested. Swimming events were held in a 100 m course built in Stockholm harbor. For the first time, women's events were part of the Olympic swimming program. The competitions were held from Saturday July 6, 1912 to Friday July 12, 1912...
in Stockholm.
Tennis
- The Davis CupDavis CupThe Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
final was held in MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Australasian team of Norman BrookesNorman BrookesBrookes was also an Australian rules footballer in his youth, playing two matches for Victorian Football League club St Kilda Football Club in 1898, kicking two goals.-Honours:Norman Brookes was knighted "in recognition of service to public service" in 1939...
(Aus), Roger Heath (Aus) and Alfred DunlopAlfred DunlopAlfred W. Dunlop was an Australian tennis player, born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He won the doubles title at the Australasian Championships, the future Australian Open, alongside Fred Alexander in 1908. He also reached the singles finals at the tournament that year, losing to...
(NZ, doubles) lost to Great Britain, 2-3 - Anthony WildingTony WildingAnthony "Tony" Frederick Wilding was a champion tennis player from Christchurch, New Zealand and a soldier killed in action during World War I near Neuve-Chapelle, Pas-de-Calais, France....
won the men's singles at the Wimbledon Championship for a third year in succession. - Anthony Wilding won the bronze medal in men's singles (indoor)Tennis at the 1912 Summer OlympicsAt the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden eight tennis events were contested.- Men's events :- Women's events :- Mixed events :- Participating nations :...
at the 1912 Summer Olympics1912 Summer OlympicsThe 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
in Stockholm.
Births
- 5 March: Jack MarshallJack MarshallSir John Ross Marshall, GBE, CH, , generally known as Jack Marshall, was a New Zealand politician. After spending twelve years as Deputy Prime Minister, he served as the 28th Prime Minister for most of 1972....
, politician. - 30 March: Jack CowieJack CowieJohn Cowie OBE was a New Zealand cricketer who played in nine Tests from 1937 to 1949. His Test opportunities were restricted by New Zealand's limited programme, and his cricket career was interrupted by World War II from 1939 to 1945...
, cricketer. - 3 April: Dorothy EdenDorothy EdenDorothy Enid Eden was a novelist and short story writer. She was born on 3 April 1912 in Canterbury Plains, New Zealand, where she attended school and worked as a legal secretary before moving to England in 1954. She died of cancer in London on 4 March 1982.Eden was best known for her writings in...
, novelist. - 20 May: Alfred E. AllenAlfred E. AllenAlfred Ernest "Alf" Allen, CMG was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was the seventeenth Speaker of the House of Representatives, in 1972.He unsuccessfully stood as the Hamilton candidate for breakaway Labour MP John A...
, politician. - 24 May: Joan HammondJoan HammondDame Joan Hilda Hood Hammond, DBE, CMG was an Australian operatic soprano, singing coach and champion golfer.- Early life :...
, opera singer. - 15 June: Oscar NatzkaOscar Natzka-Early life:Born as Franz Oscar Natzke at Wharepuhunga, North Island, New Zealand, he was the son of August Natzke , who had emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Otorohanga, and Emma Carter Natzke, of Christchurch, New Zealand, who was a singer.As a boy, the young Natzke worked...
, opera singer. - 30 August: Nancy WakeNancy WakeNancy Grace Augusta Wake, AC, GM , served as a British agent during the later part of World War II. She became a leading figure in the maquis groups of the French Resistance and was one of the Allies' most decorated servicewomen of the war.-Early life:Born in Roseneath, Wellington, New Zealand in...
, resistance fighter. - 20 September: Richard WildRichard WildSir Herbert Richard Churton Wild, GBE, KCMG, QC, was the ninth Chief Justice of New Zealand. Wild was born in Blenheim but attended Feilding Agricultural High School. In 1930 he enrolled at Victoria University College, graduating LLB in 1934 and LLM in 1935...
, 9th Chief Justice of New Zealand. - 15 October: George LakingGeorge LakingSir George Robert Laking, KCMG, was a New Zealand diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador to the United States, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman.-Early life:...
, diplomat. - 4 November: Henry Gifford 'Giff' VivianGiff VivianHenry Gifford Vivian was a New Zealand cricketer who played in seven Tests from 1931 to 1937. His son Graham, also played for the Black Caps....
, cricketer. - 9 December: Denis GloverDenis GloverLieutenant Commander Denis James Matthews Glover DSC was a New Zealand poet and publisher.Well-known for radical leftist opinions, he was often in trouble with authorities. In 1935 he founded the Caxton Press, which he used to encourage a less sentimental style of poetry in New Zealand than was...
, poet and publisher.
- Martyn FinlayMartyn FinlayAllan Martyn Finlay was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party, a lawyer and Q.C.- Member of Parliament :He represented the North Shore electorate from 1946 to 1949, when he was defeated...
, politician. - Rosemary FirthRosemary FirthRosemary, Lady Firth was a British social anthropologist, and wife of Sir Raymond Firth. She specialised in the field of domestic economy.-Life:...
, ethnologist. - Eric HalsteadEric HalsteadEric Henry Halstead, CBE was a New Zealand politician of the National Party and later a diplomat.He was born in Auckland, and educated at Auckland Grammar School and Auckland University. He was a Major in the NZEF in WWII....
, politician. - Connie Soljak (Purdue)Connie PurdueConnie Purdue was a New Zealand trade unionist. Formerly a communist and a Labour Party member, she later became a conservative Catholic and a pro-life activist.-Early life:...
trade unionist, anti-abortion campaigner.