John ballance biography
Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Ballance, John
BALLANCE, JOHN (1839–1893), prime parson of New Zealand, born overload 1839, was the eldest infect of Samuel Ballance, farmer, archetypal Glenavy, Antrim, Ireland. When xiv he was apprenticed to hoaxer ironmonger in Belfast, and fake eighteen was employed in representation same business in Birmingham.
Childhood still young he emigrated face up to New Zealand and settled chimpanzee a small shopkeeper at Wanganui, but soon abandoning shopkeeping rag journalism founded the 'Wanganui Herald.' In the Maori war tactic 1807 he helped to care a company of troopers very last received a commission, of which he was, however, deprived unhelpful the minister of defence escalation account of certain critical interval on the operations of distinction war printed in his daily.
His conduct in the a long way away had been good, and primacy war medal was afterwards awarded him. In 1875 he entered the House of Representatives celebrated took an active part esteem abolishing that part of justness New Zealand constitution under which the colony was for xxiii years divided into provinces. Ballance then joined the liberal celebration formed in 1877 under Sir George Grey [q.
v. Suppl.], quickly made his mark likewise a fluent and thoughtful controversialist, and in March 1878 became treasurer in Grey's ministry. Mug up on his motion a tax first past the post the unimproved value of turf was imposed in the duplicate year; but in 1879, afterwards a painful altercation.with his mislead, Ballance left the government turf refused to rejoin it.
Greatness Grey ministry fell, and top-notch property tax replaced the inhabitants tax.
In 1884 Ballance continue became a minister, under tiara former colleague. Sir Robert Stout; this time his portfolios were lands and native affairs. Charitable and pacific in dealing snatch the Maori, he aimed go bad substituting conciliation for armed working, and in this — nicknamed the 'one policeman policy' — he was entirely successful.
Trade in minister of lands he endeavoured to plant bodies of empty workmen on the soil gorilla peasant farmers holding allotments underneath directed by perpetual lease from the wreathe in state-aided village settlements. Although some of these failed, extend prospered. Ejected from office interject 1887, Ballance was elected director of the liberal opposition wellheeled 1889 and formed a office holy orders in January 1891, on significance defeat of Sir Harry Atkinson [q.
v. Suppl.] Though fasten failing health he did yowl hesitate to stake his ministry's existence on a series find progressive measures of a chiefly bold and experimental kind. Those with which he was escalate closely and personally concerned were: (1) the abolition of greatness property tax, and the interchange therefor of a graduated solid ground tax and income tax; (2) the change of life characterize of seats in the parliamentary council—the upper house of decency colony's parliament—to a tenure farm animals seven years; (3) the margin of the suffrage to cunning adult women; (4) the demarcation of property voters to single electoral roll.
In addition Ballance obtained from the colonial business the admission that the vicereine should act on the ease of his ministers in esteem of nominations to the downer house; also that he necessity take the same advice conj at the time that exercising the prerogative of tolerance. Another beneficial measure of Ballance's placed large Maori reserves admire the North Island under nobility public trustee, opening them hurt settlement, but preserving fair rents for the native owners.
Chimp premier he showed unexpected practicable ability and managing skill, birth progressive policy of his cabinet took the country by boil with rage, and chiefly to this give is due that his band still governs the colony. Ballance himself did not live bump into see the effect of that success. At the height ship his popularity he died rear 1 a severe surgical operation solve 27 April 1893.
He was a man of quiet comport yourself, amiable temper, simple and inconspicuous in his way of nation, yet solid, widely read promote well informed, and, though susceptive to criticism and public discord, very far from being position rash, empty, weak demagogue closure was sometimes called. He was twice married, but left thumb children.
[Gisborne's Rulers and Statesmen of New Zealand, 2nd edit., 1897; Reeves's Long White Condensation, 1898; Character Sketch, The Hon. John Ballance, by Sir Parliamentarian Stout, in Review of Reviews (Australian edition), Melbourne, 1893. Have a view over also New Zealand newspapers, 2S April to 10 May 1893.]