Social Democratic Party (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
The Social Democratic Party of New Zealand
was an early left-wing political party. It existed only a short time before being amalgamated into the new Labour Party
. During its period of existence, the party held two seats in Parliament.
The Social Democratic Party was founded in January 1913 at a so-called "Basis of Unity" Conference (often simply called the "Unity Conference"). This meeting drew together the most prominent left-wing groups in New Zealand, including both political parties
and trade unions. The aim was to unite the fractious labour movement into a cohesive force. At the end of the Conference, most of the attendees agreed to merge into two new organisations — the new United Federation of Labour would co-ordinate the trade unions, while the two main political parties (the hard-line Socialist Party
and the moderate United Labour Party
) would merge to form the Social Democrats. Not all members of the United Labour Party accepted the plan, however, and some continued on under the same banner.
and James McCombs
won by-election
s and entered Parliament. Later the same year, however, a controversial strike
broke out among groups of dockworkers and miners. Moderates in the union movement considered the strike ill-advised and dangerous, while radicals strongly supported it. The strike was heavily suppressed by the government of William Massey
, and the United Federation of Labour was left broken and disorganised. The Social Democrats, still closely linked to the UFL, were plunged into disarray, with three of the party's leaders being jailed for their roles in the strike.
As a result of the chaos, the Social Democrats went into the 1914 elections
with little in the way of planning. Co-operation with local labour organisations was sporadic, as was co-operation with the remnants of the United Labour Party. However, union anger at the government for its "heavy handed" response to the 1913 strikes was still strong, and the outbreak of World War I
had also strengthened the labour vote. In the election, Paddy Webb and James McCombs retained their seats under the Social Democratic banner. The remnants of the United Labour Party won three seats, and a labour-orientated independent John Payne
was also successful. The six labour-aligned MPs worked together in Parliament despite being from different parties, with Alfred Hindmarsh
of the ULP acting as de facto leader.
, the same organisation that survives today.
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...
was an early left-wing political party. It existed only a short time before being amalgamated into the new 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....
. During its period of existence, the party held two seats in Parliament.
Unity Conference
The Social Democratic Party was founded in January 1913 at a so-called "Basis of Unity" Conference (often simply called the "Unity Conference"). This meeting drew together the most prominent left-wing groups in New Zealand, including both political parties
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and trade unions. The aim was to unite the fractious labour movement into a cohesive force. At the end of the Conference, most of the attendees agreed to merge into two new organisations — the new United Federation of Labour would co-ordinate the trade unions, while the two main political parties (the hard-line Socialist Party
New Zealand Socialist Party
The New Zealand Socialist Party was founded in 1901, promoting the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The group, despite being relatively moderate when compared with many other socialists, met with little tangible success, but it nevertheless had considerable impact on the development of New...
and the moderate United Labour Party
United Labour Party (New Zealand)
The United Labour Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. Founded in 1912, it represented the more moderate wing of the labour movement. In 1916 it joined with other political groups to establish the modern Labour Party.- Origins :...
) would merge to form the Social Democrats. Not all members of the United Labour Party accepted the plan, however, and some continued on under the same banner.
Strike & 1914 Election
The Social Democrats gained a rapid boost when, shortly after their formation, Paddy WebbPaddy Webb
Patrick Charles "Paddy" Webb was a New Zealand trade unionist and politician.-Early life:Webb was born in Rutherglen, a small town in the Australian state of Victoria. His father, George Webb, was a miner, and Paddy Webb eventually worked in the mines himself...
and James McCombs
James McCombs
James McCombs was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Lyttelton.-Early years:McCombs was born in County Leitrim, Ireland and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1876 as a three year old. He was educated at Sydenham School and Christchurch East School...
won by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
s and entered Parliament. Later the same year, however, a controversial strike
1913 Great Strike
The Great Strike refers to a near general strike that took place in New Zealand in 1913. The dispute began on the Wellington waterfront and spread to other industries around the country.-Origins:...
broke out among groups of dockworkers and miners. Moderates in the union movement considered the strike ill-advised and dangerous, while radicals strongly supported it. The strike was heavily suppressed by the government of 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...
, and the United Federation of Labour was left broken and disorganised. The Social Democrats, still closely linked to the UFL, were plunged into disarray, with three of the party's leaders being jailed for their roles in the strike.
As a result of the chaos, the Social Democrats went into the 1914 elections
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....
with little in the way of planning. Co-operation with local labour organisations was sporadic, as was co-operation with the remnants of the United Labour Party. However, union anger at the government for its "heavy handed" response to the 1913 strikes was still strong, and the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
had also strengthened the labour vote. In the election, Paddy Webb and James McCombs retained their seats under the Social Democratic banner. The remnants of the United Labour Party won three seats, and a labour-orientated independent John Payne
John Payne (politician)
John Payne was a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Payne was born in Manchester, England. His father was clerk to a solicitor, and Payne himself initially took up office employment, but later migrated to New Zealand. There, he worked as a farmhand and a goldminer before turning to accountancy...
was also successful. The six labour-aligned MPs worked together in Parliament despite being from different parties, with Alfred Hindmarsh
Alfred Hindmarsh
Alfred Humphrey Hindmarsh was a New Zealand politician, lawyer and unionist.Hindmarsh was born in Port Elliot, Australia, and was the grandson of John Hindmarsh, the first Governor of South Australia. He moved with his family to Napier, New Zealand, in 1878. Hindmarsh trained as a lawyer, and was...
of the ULP acting as de facto leader.
Formation of the Labour Party
Two years later, in 1916, the close working relationship between the Social Democrats and the ULP remnant was formalised with a merger — the two officially came together as the Labour PartyNew 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....
, the same organisation that survives today.