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Early life

Ward was born in Melbourne, on 26 April 1856. His family was of Irish decent, and Ward was raised as a Catholic. His father, who is believed to have been an alcoholic, died in 1860, aged only 31 — Ward was raised by his mother, Hannah. In 1863, the family moved to Bluff (then officially known as Campbelltown), in New Zealand's Southland region, seeking better financial security — Hannah Ward established a shop and a boarding house. Melbourne is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of approximately 3. ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Alcoholism is a dependency on alcoholic beverages characterized by craving (a strong need to drink), loss of control (being unable to stop drinking despite a desire to do so), physical dependence, tolerance (increasing difficulty in becoming drunk), and withdrawal symptoms. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... This article is about the New Zealand town of Bluff. ...   Categories: New Zealand-related stubs | Southland, New Zealand | Territorial Authorities of New Zealand ...

Joseph Ward received his formal education at primary schools in Melbourne and Bluff. He did not go to secondary school. He did, however, read extensively, and also picked up a good understanding of business from his mother. He is described by most sources as highly energetic and enthusiastic, and was keen to advance in the world — much of this attitude is attributed to his mother, who was very eager to see her children financially secure. In 1869, Ward found a job at the Post Office, and later as a clerk. Later, with the help of a loan from his mother, Ward began to work as a freelance trader, selling supplies to the newly-established Southland farming community. 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... New Zealand Post Limited is the dominant postal operator in New Zealand. ...

Early political career

Ward became involved in local politics very quickly. He was elected to the Campbelltown (Bluff) Borough Council in 1878, despite being only 21 years old — he later became Mayor. He also served on the Bluff Harbour Board, which he eventually became chairman of. 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1887, Ward successfully stood for Parliament, winning the seat of Awarua. Politically, Ward was a supporter of politicians such as Julius Vogel and Robert Stout, leaders of the liberal wing of Parliament — Ward's support was unusual in the far south. Ward became known as a strong debater on economic matters. 1887 is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar). ... The New Zealand Parliament is the legislative body of the New Zealand government. ... Sir Julius Vogel (February 24, 1835 - March 12, 1899) was New Zealands first Jewish prime minister. ... Robert Stout (1844 - 1930) was Premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major political ideology as it developed and stands currently. ...

In 1891, when the newly-founded Liberal Party came to power, the new Prime Minister, John Ballance, appointed Ward to the position of Postmaster General. Later, when Richard Seddon became Prime Minister after Ballance's death, Ward became Treasurer (Minister of Finance). Ward's basic political outlook was that the state existed to support and promote private enterprise, and his conduct as Treasuer reflects this. 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the original New Zealand Liberal Party. ... John Ballance (March 27, 1839 - 27 April 1893), served as Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party (the countrys first organized political party). ... A Postmaster General is the national politician in charge of the postal system of a country. ... Richard John Seddon (1845 - 1906), sometimes known as King Dick, was the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. ... The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. ...

Ward's increasing occupation with government affairs led to neglect of his own business interests, however, and Ward's personal finances began to deteriorate. In 1896, a judge declared Ward "hopelessly insolvent". This placed Ward, as Treasurer, in a politically difficult situation, and he was forced to resign his portfolios on 16 June. In 1897, he was forced to file for bankruptcy, which legally obliged him to resign his seat in Parliament. A loophole, however, meant that there was nothing to stop him simply contesting it again — he did so, and was elected with an increased majority. Ward actually gained considerable popularity as a result of his financial troubles — Ward was widely seen as a great benefactor of the Southland region, and public perceptions were that he was being persecuted by his enemies over an honest mistake. 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Gradually, Ward rebuilt his businesses, and paid off his debtors. Richard Seddon, still Prime Minister, quickly reappointed Ward to Cabinet. He gradually emerged as the most prominent of Seddon's supporters, and was seen as a possible successor. As Seddon's long tenure as Prime Minister continued, some suggested that Ward should challenge Seddon for the leadership, but Ward was unwilling.

In 1906, Seddon unexpectedly died. Ward was in London at the time. It was generally agreed in the party that Ward would succeed him, although the return journey would take two months — William Hall-Jones became Prime Minister until Ward arrived. Ward was sworn in on 6 August 1906. 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London is the most populous city in the European Union, with an estimated population on 1 January 2005 of 7. ... William Hall-Jones (1851-1936) was Prime Minister of New Zealand from June 1906 till August 1906. ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

First premiership

Ward was not seen by most as being of the same calibre as Seddon. The diverse interests of the Liberal Party, many believed, had been held together only by Seddon's strength of personality and his powers of persuasion — Ward was not seen as having the same qualities. Frequent internal disputes led to indecision and frequent policy changes, with the ultimate result being paralysis of government. The Liberal Party's two main support bases, the left-leaning urban workers and the conservative small farmers, were increasingly at odds, and Ward lacked any coherent strategy to solve the problem — any attempt to please one group simply alienated the other. Ward increasingly focused on foreign affairs, which was seen by his opponents as a sign that he could not cope with the country's problems.

In the 1908 elections, the Liberals won a majority, but in the 1911 elections, Parliament appeared to be deadlocked. The Liberals survived for a time on the casting vote of the Speaker, but Ward, discouraged by the result, resigned from the premiership in March the following year. The party replaced him with Thomas Mackenzie, his Minister of Agriculture — Mackenzie's government survived only a few more months. The New Zealand general election of 1908 was held November 17, November 24 and December 1 to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 17th session of the New Zealand Parliament. ... The New Zealand general election of 1911 was held December 7 and December 14 to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 18th session of the New Zealand Parliament. ... In New Zealand The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the countrys legislative body, The House of Representatives (commonly known as Parliament). The Speaker fulfills a number of important functions in relation to the operation Parliament, much of which is based upon the British... Sir Thomas Mackenzie, (1854-1930) was Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as High Commissioner. ...

Ward, who most believed had finished his political career, took a position on the backbenches, and refused several requests to resume the leadership of the disorganised Liberals. He occupied himself with relatively minor matters, and took his family on a visit to England. A backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislature who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition. ...

Leader of the Opposition

On 11 September 1913, however, Ward finally accepted the leadership of the Liberal Party once again. Ward extracted a number of important concessions from the party, insisting on a very high level of personal control — Ward felt that the party's previous lack of direction was the primary cause for its failure. Ward also worked to build alliances with the growing labour movement, which was now standing candidates in many seats. September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

On 12 August 1915, Ward and accepted a proposal by William Massey and the governing Reform Party to form a joint administration for World War I. Ward became deputy leader of the administration, also holding the Finance portfolio. Relations between Ward and Massey were not good — besides their political differences, Ward was an Irish Catholic, and Massey was an Irish Protestant. The administration ended on 21 August 1919. August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... William Ferguson Massey (often known simply as Bill Massey) served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. ... The Reform Party was New Zealands second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party. ... Clockwise from top: Trenches in frontline, a British Mark I Tank crossing a trench, the Royal Navy battleship HMS Irresistible sinking after striking a mine at the battle of the Dardanelles, a Vickers machine gun crew with gas masks and a Sopwith Camel biplane. ... August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

In the 1919 elections, Ward himself lost the seat of Awarua, and left Parliament. In 1923, he contested a by-election in Tauranga, but was defeated by an unimportant Reform Party candidate. Ward was largely considered a spent force. In the 1935 elections, however, he narrowly returned to Parliament as MP for Invercargill. Ward contested the seat under the "Liberal" label, despite the fact that the remnants of the Liberal Party were now calling themselves by different names — his opponents characterised him as living in the past, and of attempting to fight the same battles over again. Ward's health was also failing. The New Zealand general election of 1919 was held December 17 to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 20h session of the New Zealand Parliament. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... // Introduction Tauranga (population 90,906 — 2001 census) is the major city of the western Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 25th term. ... Invercargill is the southernmost and also the most western city in New Zealand, and one of the most southern settlements in the world. ...

In 1928, however, the remnants of the Liberal Party reasserted themselves as the new United Party, focused around George Forbes (leader of one faction of the Liberals), Bill Veitch (leader of another faction), and Albert Davy (a former organiser for the Reform Party). Forbes and Veitch both sought the leadership, and neither of them gained a clear advantage. In the end, Davy invited Ward himself to step in as a compromise candidate, perhaps hoping that Ward's status as a former Prime Minister would create a sense of unity. 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article discusses the party which originated in 1927 from a faction of the Liberal Party. ... George William Forbes (12 March 1869 - 17 May 1947) served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. ... William Andrew (Bill) Veitch (25 May 1870 - 1 January 1961) was a New Zealand politician. ... Albert Ernest Davy (17 August 1886 - 13 June 1959) was a New Zealand political organiser and campaign manager, and at the height of his career, was regarded as the best in the country. ...

Second premiership

Ward accepted the offer, and became leader of the new United Party. His health, however, was still poor, and he found the task difficult. In the 1928 election campaign, Ward startled both his supporters and his audience by promising to borrow £70 million in the course of a year in order to revive the economy — this is believed to have been a mistake caused by Ward's failing eyesight. Despite the strong objections his party had to this "promise", it was sufficient to prompt a massive surge in support for United — in the elections, United gained the same number of seats as Reform. With the backing of the Labour Party, Ward became Prime Minister again, twenty-two years after his original appointment. The New Zealand general election of 1925 was held November 14 to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 23rd session of the New Zealand Parliament. ... The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. ...

Ward's health continued to decline, however. He suffered a number of heart attacks, and soon, it was George Forbes who was effectively running the government. Ward was determined not to resign, however, and remained Prime Minister well after he had lost the ability to perform that role. Finally, on 28 May 1930, Ward succumbed to strong pressure from his colleagues and his family, and passed the premiership to Forbes. May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

Ward died shortly afterwards, on 8 July. He was buried with considerable ceremony in Bluff. His son Vincent was elected to replace him as MP for Invercargill. July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ...

 

Prime Minister of New Zealand
Preceded by: William Hall-Jones	(1906-1912)	Succeeded by: Thomas Mackenzie
Preceded by: Gordon Coates	(1928-1930)	Succeeded by: George Forbes
Sewell | Fox | Stafford | Domett | Whitaker | Weld | Waterhouse | Vogel | Pollen | Atkinson | Grey | Hall | Stout | Ballance | Seddon | Hall-Jones | Ward | Mackenzie | Massey | Bell | Coates | Forbes | Savage | Fraser | Holland | Nash | Holyoake | Marshall | Kirk | Rowling | Muldoon | Lange | Palmer | Moore | Bolger | Shipley | Clark