A statue of Fraser outside the Government Buildings Historic Reserve in Wellington

The Right Honourable Peter Fraser (1884 - 1950) served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 27 March 1940 until 13 December 1949. He headed the country through most of the Second World War. Historians see him as a major figure in the history of the New Zealand Labour Party; to date he served longer than any other Labour Prime Minister. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1728x2304, 1785 KB) Summary A statue of Peter Fraser outside the Government Buildings Historic Reserve in Wellington, photographed by User:DONeil. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1728x2304, 1785 KB) Summary A statue of Peter Fraser outside the Government Buildings Historic Reserve in Wellington, photographed by User:DONeil. ... Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke) is the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second-largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. ... The Right Honourable (abbreviated The Rt Hon. ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealands head of government and is the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in Leap years). ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early life

Peter Fraser was born on 28 August 1884, in Fearn, near Tain, Scotland, Easter Ross, Scotland. He received basic education, but had to leave school due to his family's poor financial state. Though apprenticed to a carpenter, he eventually abandoned this trade due to extremely poor eyesight - later in his life Fraser would have difficulty reading official documents, and would insist on spoken reports rather than written ones. Before the deterioration of his vision, however, Fraser read extensively - with writers such as Keir Hardie and Robert Blatchford (both socialists) among his favourites. August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Note: This article contains special characters. ... Tain is a royal burgh in the committee area of Ross and Cromarty, in the Highland area of Scotland. ... Easter Ross is a loosely defined area in the east of the administrative county of Ross and Cromarty. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... A carpenter is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry -- a wide range of woodworking that includes constructing buildings, furniture, and other large objects out of wood. ... James Keir Hardie (August 15, 1856 - September 26, 1915) was a Scottish-born socialist and labour leader, and the first Labour MP to be elected to the UK Parliament. ... Robert Peel Glanville Blatchford, (March 17, 1851 – December 17, 1943), was a socialist campaigner and author. ... Socialism is an ideology of a social and economic system in which the means of production are collectively owned and administered by all of society. ...

Fraser quickly became active in politics, becoming secretary of the local Liberal Association at the age of 16, and joining the Independent Labour Party in 1908. The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the 1920s, and a third party of varying strength and importance up to 1988, when it merged with the Social Democratic Party to form a new party which would become known as... The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was a former political party in the United Kingdom. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Union work

After unsuccessfully seeking employment in London, Fraser decided to move to New Zealand at the age of 26. His apparently chose New Zealand in the belief that the country possessed a strong progressive spirit. The Houses of Parliament and the clock tower containing Big Ben Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London (see Wiktionary:London for the name in other languages) is the capital of the United Kingdom and England. ...

Arriving in Auckland, Fraser gained employment as a stevedore. He became involved in union politics, and also joined the New Zealand Socialist Party. When Michael Joseph Savage (later to become the Labour Party's first Prime Minister) stood as the Socialist candidate for Auckland Central electorate, Fraser worked as his campaign manager. Fraser also became involved in the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and represented it at Waihi during the Waihi miners' strike of 1912. Shortly after this, Fraser moved to Wellington, the capital city. Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... A stevedore is a person who works at loading or unloading a ship. ... A union (labor union in American English; trade union, sometimes trades union, in British English; either labour union or trade union in Canadian English) is a legal entity consisting of employees or workers having a common interest, such as all the assembly workers for one employer, or all the workers... The New Zealand Socialist Party was founded in 1901, promoting the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. ... Michael Joseph Savage (March 23, 1872 - March 27, 1940) was a New Zealand politician and the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand. ... The Waihi miners strike was a major strike action in 1912 by gold miners in the New Zealand town of Waihi. ... Alternative meanings at Wellington (disambiguation) A view of Wellington from the top of Mount Victoria. ...

In 1913, Fraser became involved in the founding of the Social Democratic Party. Later that year the police arrested him for breaches of the peace - this related to his union activities. While the arrest led to no serious repercussions for him, it did prompt a change of strategy - Fraser moved away from direct action and began to promote a parliamentary route to power. 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... The Social Democratic Party of New Zealand was an early left-wing political party. ... Direct action is a method and a theory of stopping objectionable practices or creating more favorable conditions using immediately available means. ...

When the First World War broke out, Fraser strongly opposed New Zealand participation. Like many people on the left, Fraser considered the conflict an "imperialist war", fought for reasons of national interest rather than of principle. Combatants Allies: • Serbia, • Russia, • France, • Romania, • Belgium, • British Empire and Dominions, • United States, • Italy, • ...and others Central Powers: • Germany, • Austria-Hungary, • Ottoman Empire, • Bulgaria Casualties 5 million military, 3 million civilian (full list) 3 million military, 3 million civilian (full list) World War I, also known as the First World... In politics, left-wing, political left, leftism, or simply the left, are terms which refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism (especially in the American sense of the word), or with opposition...

Labour Party

In 1916, Fraser became involved in the foundation of the New Zealand Labour Party, which absorbed much of the moribund Social Democratic Party's membership. The members selected Harry Holland as the Labour Party's leader. Michael Joseph Savage, Fraser's old ally from the New Zealand Socialist Party, also participated. 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. ... Henry Edmund (Harry) Holland (10 June 1868 - 8 October 1933) was a New Zealand politician and unionist. ...

Later in 1916, the government had Fraser (along with several other members of the new Labour Party) arrested on charges of sedition. This resulted from their outspoken opposition to the war, and particularly their call to abolish conscription. Fraser received a sentence of one year in gaol. He always rejected the verdict, claiming that he would only have committed subversion had he taken active steps to undermine conscription, rather than merely voicing disapproval. Sedition is a deprecated term of law to refer to non-overt conduct such as speech and organization that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. ...

After his release from prison, Fraser worked as a journalist for the official Labour Party newspaper. He also resumed his activities within the Labour Party, initially in the role of campaign manager for Harry Holland. In 1918, Fraser himself gained election to Parliament, winning the electorate of Wellington Central. He soon distinguished himself through his work to counter the influenza Epidemic of 1918-19. 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The New Zealand Parliament is the legislative body of the New Zealand government. ... The Spanish Flu Pandemic, also known as La Grippe Espagnole, or La Pesadilla, was an unusually severe and deadly strain of avian influenza, a viral infectious disease, that killed some 50 million to 100 million people worldwide over about a year in 1918 and 1919 [1]. It is thought to...

One year after his election to parliament, Fraser married Janet Henderson Munro, also a political activist. The couple would remain together until Janet Munro's death in 1945, five years before Fraser's own passing. They had no children. 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...

Early parliamentary career

During his early years in parliament, Fraser developed a clearer sense of his political beliefs. Although initially enthusiastic about the Russian October Revolution of 1917 and its Bolshevik leaders, he rejected them soon afterwards, and eventually became one of the strongest advocates of excluding communists from the Labour Party. His commitment to parliamentary politics rather than direct action became firmer, and he had a moderating influence on many Labour Party policies. The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was the second phase of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the first having been instigated by the events around the February Revolution. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Leaders of the Bolshevik Party and the Communist International, a painting by Malcolm McAllister on the Pathfinder Mural in New York City and on the cover of the book Lenin’s Final Fight published by Pathfinder. ...

Fraser's views clashed considerably with those of Harry Holland, still serving as leader, but the party gradually shifted its policies away from the more extreme end of the spectrum. In 1933, however, Holland died, leaving the leadership vacant. Fraser contested it, but eventually lost to Michael Joseph Savage, Holland's deputy. Fraser became the new deputy leader. 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

While Savage represented perhaps less moderate views than Fraser, he lacked the extreme ideology of Holland. With Labour now possessing a "softer" image, the party succeeeded in winning the 1935 elections and forming a government. The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 25th term. ...

In government

In the new administration, Fraser became Minister of Health, Minister of Education, Minister of Marine, and Minister of Police. He showed himself extremely active as a minister, often working seventeen hours a day, seven days a week. He had a particular interest in education, which he considered vital for social reform. His appointment of C.E. Beeby to the Education Department provided him with a valuable ally for these reforms. He also became the driving force behind the new Social Security Act. Dr Clarence Edward Beeby ONZ CMG (16 June 1902-10 March 1998; most commonly referred to as C.E. Beeby or simply Beeb) was a New Zealand educationalist, described as the architect of our modern education system[1]. Beebys educational ethos is best summarised as every person regardless of...

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Fraser had already taken over most of the functions of national leadership. Michael Joseph Savage had been ill for some time and was near death, although the authorities concealed this from the public. Fraser had to assume most of the Prime Minister's responsibilities in addition to his ministerial ones. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

However, internal disputes within the Labour Party made Fraser's position more difficult. John A. Lee, a notable socialist within the Party, vehemently disapproved of the party's perceived drift towards the political centre, and strongly criticised Savage and Fraser. Lee's attacks, however, became strong enough that even many of his supporters denounced them. Fraser and his allies successfully moved to expel Lee from the Party. John Alfred Alexander Lee (31 October 1891 - 13 June 1982) was a New Zealand politician and writer. ...

Prime Minister

After Savage's death in 1940, Fraser successfully contested the leadership against Gervan McMillan and Clyde Carr. He had, however, to give the party's caucus the right to elect people to Cabinet without the Prime Minister's approval - this practice continues as a feature of the Labour Party today. 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... A caucus is most generally defined as being a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement. ... The New Zealand Cabinet functions as the policy and decision-making body of the New Zealand governments executive branch. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Despite this concession, however, Fraser remained in command, sometimes alienating his colleagues with his "authoritarian" style. Some of his determination to exercise control may have come about due to the war, on which Fraser focused almost exclusively. Nevertheless, certain measures he implemented (such as censorship, wage controls, and conscription) proved unpopular with the party. In particular, conscription provoked strong opposition, especially since Fraser himself had opposed it during the First World War. Fraser replied that fighting in the Second World War, unlike in the First World War, had indeed a worthy cause, making conscription a necessary evil. Despite opposition from within the Labour Party, enough of the general public supported conscription to allow its acceptance. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Wage Regulation refers to attempts by the Government to regulate wages paid to citizens. ...

During the war, Fraser attempted to build support for an understanding between Labour and its main rival, the National Party. However, opposition within both parties prevented reaching an agreement, and Labour continued to govern alone. Fraser did, however, work closely with Gordon Coates, a former Prime Minister and now a National-Party rebel - Fraser praised Coates for his willingness to set aside his party loyalty, and appears to have believed that National leader Sidney Holland placed "party advantage before national unity." Current National Party logo The New Zealand National Party (sometimes colloquially referred to as the Nats or as Tories) currently forms the second-largest (in terms of seats) political party represented in the New Zealand Parliament, and thus functions as the core of the parliamentary Opposition. ... This article is about the New Zealand prime minister. ... Sidney George Holland (1893-1961) was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1949 to 1957. ...

In terms of the war effort itself, Fraser had a particular concern with ensuring that New Zealand retained control over its own forces. He believed that the more populous countries, particularly Britain, viewed New Zealand's military as a mere extension of their own, rather than as the armed forces of a sovereign nation. After particularly serious New Zealand losses in Greece, Fraser determined to retain a say as to where to deploy New Zealand troops. Fraser insisted to British leaders that Bernard Freyberg, commander of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, should report to the New Zealand government just as extensively as to the British authorities. When Japan entered the war, Fraser had to choose between recalling New Zealand's forces to the Pacific (as Australia had done) or keep them in the Middle East (as Winston Churchill requested). Fraser eventually opted for the latter course. The Rt Hon. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British politician, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. ...

After the war ended in 1945, Fraser devoted much of his attention to the formation of the United Nations. He became particularly noteworthy for his strong opposition to veto powers for Security-Council permanent members, and often acted as an unofficial spokesperson for small nations. Many historians consider Fraser's performance "on the world stage" show him at his best.^{[citation needed]} The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that describes itself as a global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ... The word veto comes from Latin and literally means I forbid. ... The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations (UN). ...

Fraser also took up the role of Minister of Native Affairs (which he renamed Maori Affairs) in 1947. Fraser had had an interest in Maori concerns for some time, and he implemented a number of measures designed to reduce inequality. Te Puni, Māori Chief Māori is the name of the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their language. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ...

Although he relinquished the role of Minister of Education early in his term as Prime Minister, he and Walter Nash continued to have an active role in developing educational policy with C.E. Beeby. Walter Nash (12 February 1882 - 4 June 1968) served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance. ...

Fraser's other domestic policies, however, came under criticism. His slow speed in removing war-time rationing and his support for compulsory military training during peacetime particularly damaged him politically. With dwindling support from traditional Labour voters, and a population weary of war-time measures, Fraser's popularity declined. In the 1949 elections the National Party defeated his government. The 1949 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 29th term. ...

Later life

Fraser became Leader of the Opposition, but declining health prevented him from playing a significant role. Fraser died in Wellington on 12 December 1950. He is buried in Wellington. The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government. ... December 12 is the 346th day (347th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 19 days remaining. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Walter Nash succeeded him as leader of the Labour Party. Walter Nash (12 February 1882 - 4 June 1968) served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance. ...

External link

• Prime Minister's Office biography

 

Prime Minister of New Zealand
Preceded by: Michael Joseph Savage	(1940-1949)	Succeeded by: Sidney Holland
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