George Warren Russell
Encyclopedia
George Warren Russell (24 February 1854 – 28 June 1937) was a New Zealand politician from Christchurch
. He served as Minister of Internal Affairs
and Minister of Public Health
in the wartime National government, and was responsible for the New Zealand government's response to the 1918 influenza epidemic
.
when he was still a child, and then moved again to New Zealand in 1864. Russell worked as an apprentice journalist, before trying to become a Wesleyan Methodist minister. When that was unsuccessful, he returned to journalism, working on the Evening Chronicle in Wellington
and founding the Manawatu Herald in Foxton. In 1898, he took over the Spectator, a magazine he would edit until 1928.
in 1893. A member of the Liberal Party
's "left" (radical) wing, he was a strong critic of Premier Richard Seddon
, and at the 1896 election attempted to form a Radical Party
to push for stronger reforms. He maintained only a tenuous hold on his electorate, losing it in 1896 to William Rolleston
, but regaining it in 1899 with a majority of one vote over Rolleston, which brought an end to that political career. Russell lost the Riccarton electorate again in 1902. In 1908, he won the Avon electorate
, and held it for the next 11 years.
Russell was considered a possible Liberal leader in 1912 when Joseph Ward
resigned, and served in the cabinet of Thomas Mackenzie
. He later served in the wartime National cabinet, holding the portfolios of Internal Affairs, Public Health and Hospitals, as well as a number of lesser responsibilities. As Minister of Public Health, he was responsible for the decision to allow the Niagara to dock in Auckland in 1918, and was blamed for the resulting Spanish Flu
epidemic which killed at least 8000 New Zealanders. As a result, he lost his electorate in the 1919 election. He unsuccessfully contested the 1921 by-election for Auckland East
, and Avon again in the 1922 general election
, but was never again elected to Parliament.
, Wellington
. He was buried at Holy Trinity Avonside
in Christchurch.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. He served as Minister of Internal Affairs
Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs is a state sector organisation whose roles include the issue of passports; administering citizenship grant applications, and lottery grant applications; enforcement of censorship and gambling law; registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil...
and Minister of Public Health
Minister of Health (New Zealand)
The Minister of Health is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the New Zealand Ministry of Health and the District Health Boards.The present Minister is Tony Ryall, a member of the National Party.-History:...
in the wartime National government, and was responsible for the New Zealand government's response to the 1918 influenza epidemic
Spanish flu
The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It was an unusually severe and deadly pandemic that spread across the world. Historical and epidemiological data are inadequate to identify the geographic origin...
.
Private life
Russell was born in London, England, in 1854. His father was a bricklayer and builder. The family emigrated to TasmaniaTasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
when he was still a child, and then moved again to New Zealand in 1864. Russell worked as an apprentice journalist, before trying to become a Wesleyan Methodist minister. When that was unsuccessful, he returned to journalism, working on the Evening Chronicle 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...
and founding the Manawatu Herald in Foxton. In 1898, he took over the Spectator, a magazine he would edit until 1928.
Political career
Russell first entered Parliament as MHR for RiccartonRiccarton (New Zealand electorate)
-Population centres:The electorate was in the south-western suburbs of Christchurch, New Zealand, and was based on the suburb of Riccarton.-History:The electorate was created in 1893, and existed to 1978 when it was abolished....
in 1893. A member of the Liberal Party
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...
's "left" (radical) wing, he was a strong critic of Premier 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....
, and at the 1896 election attempted to form a 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...
to push for stronger reforms. He maintained only a tenuous hold on his electorate, losing it in 1896 to William Rolleston
William Rolleston
William Rolleston was a New Zealand politician, public administrator, educationalist and Canterbury provincial superintendent.-Early life:...
, but regaining it in 1899 with a majority of one vote over Rolleston, which brought an end to that political career. Russell lost the Riccarton electorate again in 1902. In 1908, he won the Avon electorate
Avon (New Zealand electorate)
Avon is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.-Population centres:The electorate is in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch, New Zealand, based on the suburb of Avonside.-History:...
, and held it for the next 11 years.
Russell was considered a possible Liberal leader in 1912 when 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:...
resigned, and served in the cabinet of 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....
. He later served in the wartime National cabinet, holding the portfolios of Internal Affairs, Public Health and Hospitals, as well as a number of lesser responsibilities. As Minister of Public Health, he was responsible for the decision to allow the Niagara to dock in Auckland in 1918, and was blamed for the resulting Spanish Flu
Spanish flu
The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It was an unusually severe and deadly pandemic that spread across the world. Historical and epidemiological data are inadequate to identify the geographic origin...
epidemic which killed at least 8000 New Zealanders. As a result, he lost his electorate in the 1919 election. He unsuccessfully contested the 1921 by-election for Auckland East
Auckland East
Auckland East was a New Zealand electorate, situated in the east of Auckland.-History:The Auckland East electorate was established for the 1860-1861 elections, when the Auckland electorate was split in half. It consisted of most of modern Auckland's central business district...
, and Avon again in the 1922 general election
New Zealand general election, 1922
The New Zealand general election of 1922 was held on Monday, 6 December in the Māori electorates, and on Tuesday, 7 December in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 21st session of the New Zealand Parliament...
, but was never again elected to Parliament.
Death
Russell died on 28 June 1937 in EastbourneEastbourne, New Zealand
Eastbourne is a suburb of Lower Hutt city in the southern North Island of New Zealand. Its population is about 4,600.-Location:An outer suburb, it is situated on the eastern shore of Wellington Harbour, 5 kilometres south of the main Lower Hutt urban area, and directly across the harbour from the...
, 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...
. He was buried at Holy Trinity Avonside
Holy Trinity Avonside
Holy Trinity Avonside was a heritage-listed Anglican church located in Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand. It is registered as a "Historic Place – Category I" by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust...
in Christchurch.