John Gilchrist (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
John Gilchrist was a Scottish socialist who became a political activist in New Zealand.
in 1872, Gilchrist was a member of the Scottish Independent Labour Party
and emigrated to New Zealand
in 1900. He joined the Wellington
Socialist Party in 1901 and later was Secretary of the Fabian Society
, PLL (Political Labour League) and LRC in Dunedin
. John Gilchrist was the NZLP candidate for Chalmers
in 1919, Dunedin Central in 1922 and 1925. He left the New Zealand Labour Party
over the issue of monetary reform. A strong rationalist he was a shoemaker, bricklayer and insurance salesman.
Gilchrist died in 1947.
Political Activity
Born in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1872, Gilchrist was a member of the Scottish Independent Labour Party
Independent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
and emigrated to New Zealand
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...
in 1900. He joined 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...
Socialist Party in 1901 and later was Secretary of the Fabian Society
Fabian Society
The Fabian Society is a British socialist movement, whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist, rather than revolutionary, means. It is best known for its initial ground-breaking work beginning late in the 19th century and continuing up to World...
, PLL (Political Labour League) and LRC in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
. John Gilchrist was the NZLP candidate for Chalmers
Chalmers
Chalmers may refer to:* Chalmers, Indiana, a US town* Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden* Chalmers Automobile, a former U.S. car company* Chalmers , people with the surname Chalmers...
in 1919, Dunedin Central in 1922 and 1925. He left the New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
over the issue of monetary reform. A strong rationalist he was a shoemaker, bricklayer and insurance salesman.
Gilchrist died in 1947.
Further reading
- Labour's Path to Political Independence: the Origins and Establishment of the NZLP 1900-19 by Barry GustafsonBarry GustafsonBarry Gustafson is a New Zealand political scientist and historian, and a leading political biographer. He served for nearly four decades as Professor of Political Studies at the University of Auckland, and as Acting Director of the New Zealand Asia Institute from 2004 to 2006.-Politics and...
(1980, Oxford University Press, Auckland) ISBN 019647986X