Frederick Pirani
Encyclopedia
Frederick Pirani was a New Zealand
politician. He was Member of the House of Representatives for Palmerston from 1893 to 1902, first as a Liberal
, then as an Independent
. He was part of the Liberal Party's "left" (radical) wing.
, Australia
, and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1864. His father was a journalist, and later owner of the Manawatu Evening Standard. Pirani served his apprenticeship as a printer under John Ballance
on the Wanganui Herald in the late 1870s, and later became a journalist.
, where he became involved in politics. He was elected as councillor of Palmerston North Borough in 1888-1889, and again in 1901.
He established a local chapter of the Knights of Labour, and in 1890
stood for Parliament as a Labour candidate, losing by only 61 votes. He was persuaded to stand again by Ballance, and was elected as a Liberal in 1893
. He would hold the seat until 1902
, but the change in the Liberal platform under Richard Seddon
led him to gradually break with the party.
In 1896 he was associated with the Radical Party
, and stood
as an "independent liberal". In 1898 he voted against the government on a confidence motion, effectively becoming part of the opposition. He was re-elected as an independent in 1899
, but did not contest the 1902
election due to ill-health. While he stood again as an independent in Palmerston in 1905
, Wanganui
in 1914
, and Wellington Central
in 1919, he came second each time and never regained elected office.
Pirani died in Wellington
on 26 October 1926.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician. He was Member of the House of Representatives for Palmerston from 1893 to 1902, first as a 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...
, then as an Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. He was part of the Liberal Party's "left" (radical) wing.
Early life
Pirani was born in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne 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...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , 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...
, and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1864. His father was a journalist, and later owner of the Manawatu Evening Standard. Pirani served his apprenticeship as a printer under John Ballance
John Ballance
John Ballance served as the 14th Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party .-Early life:...
on the Wanganui Herald in the late 1870s, and later became a journalist.
Entry into politics
In 1884 he moved to Palmerston NorthPalmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
, where he became involved in politics. He was elected as councillor of Palmerston North Borough in 1888-1889, and again in 1901.
He established a local chapter of the Knights of Labour, and in 1890
New Zealand general election, 1890
The New Zealand general election of 1890 was one of New Zealand's most significant. It marked the beginning of party politics in New Zealand with the formation of the First Liberal government, which was to enact major welfare, labour and electoral reforms, including giving the vote to women.It was...
stood for Parliament as a Labour candidate, losing by only 61 votes. He was persuaded to stand again by Ballance, and was elected as a Liberal in 1893
New Zealand general election, 1893
The New Zealand general election of 1893 was held on Tuesday, 28 November in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 12th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
. He would hold the seat until 1902
New Zealand general election, 1902
The New Zealand general election of 1902 was held on Tuesday, 25 November in the general electorates, and on Monday, 22 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 15th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, but the change in the Liberal platform under Richard Seddon
Richard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
led him to gradually break with the party.
In 1896 he was associated with the Radical Party
Radical Party (New Zealand)
The Radical Party was a proposed new political party in New Zealand. It was part of an abortive attempt by members of the Liberal Party to establish a breakaway group. No actual party was ever formed, but the name was frequently applied to the group of dissident MPs by the press.The leaders of the...
, and stood
New Zealand general election, 1896
The New Zealand general election of 1896 was held on Wednesday, 4 December in the general electorates, and on Thursday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 13th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
as an "independent liberal". In 1898 he voted against the government on a confidence motion, effectively becoming part of the opposition. He was re-elected as an independent in 1899
New Zealand general election, 1899
The New Zealand general election of 1899 was held on Wednesday, 6 December in the general electorates, and on Tuesday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 14th session of the New Zealand Parliament. A total number of 373,744 voters turned out to...
, but did not contest the 1902
New Zealand general election, 1902
The New Zealand general election of 1902 was held on Tuesday, 25 November in the general electorates, and on Monday, 22 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 15th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
election due to ill-health. While he stood again as an independent in Palmerston in 1905
New Zealand general election, 1905
The New Zealand general election of 1905 was held on Wednesday, 6 December in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 16th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, Wanganui
Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)
Whanganui is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It was first established in 1855 for the 2nd Parliament and has existed continuously since then.It is currently held by Chester Borrows MP.-Population centres:...
in 1914
New Zealand general election, 1914
The New Zealand general election of 1914 was held on 10 December to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 19th session of the New Zealand Parliament. A total number of 616,043 voters were registered, of which 84.7% voters turned out to vote....
, and Wellington Central
Wellington Central
rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
in 1919, he came second each time and never regained elected office.
Pirani died in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
on 26 October 1926.
Further reading
- Symondson, B. Frederick Pirani, MHR Palmerston North, 1893-1902: a study of his political career. MA thesis, Massey, 1977