Rt. Hon. Walter Nash
Walter Nash speaking in the United States in 1942. Image File history File links Walter_Nash_1942. ...
27th Prime Minister of New Zealand
In office 20 September 1957 – 12 December 1960
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Deputy	Clarence Skinner
Preceded by	Keith Holyoake
Succeeded by	Keith Holyoake
Constituency	Hutt
16th Leader of the Opposition
In office 17 January 1951 – 20 September 1957 12 December 1960 - 1 April 1963
Preceded by	Peter Fraser (1950) Keith Holyoake (1960)
Succeeded by	Keith Holyoake (1957) Arnold Nordmeyer (1963)
Born	11 February 1882(1882-02-11) Kidderminster, Worcestershire,  England
Died	June 4, 1968 (aged 86) Wellington,  New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Lotty May Easton, married 1906
Occupation	Clerk
Religion	Christian Socialist

Sir Walter Nash, GCMG, CH (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. He is noted for his long period of service, having been associated with the Labour Party since its creation. Many also associate him with the gradual shift of the Labour Party away from its original socialism. 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. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Elizabeth II in an official portrait as Queen of Canada (on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, wearing the Sovereigns badges of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) (born 21 April 1926), styled HM The... Clarence Farrington (Gerry) Skinner, MC, (19 January 1900 - 26 April 1962) is a former Labour politician from New Zealand, former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and a Minister 1943-49 & 1957-60. ... The Right Honorable Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO was a New Zealand politician. ... The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand is the politician who, at least in theory, leads the Opposition bloc in the New Zealand Parliament. ... is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ... The Honourable Sir Heinrich Arnold Nordmeyer, ONZ, KCMG, (1901 - 1989), often later known as Arnold Henry Nordmeyer, was a New Zealand politician. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... , Kidderminster is a town in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. ... Worcestershire (pronounced ; abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Alternative meanings at Wellington (disambiguation) A view of Wellington from the top of Mount Victoria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Christian socialism generally refers to those... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... The Order of the Companions of Honour is a British and Commonwealth Order. ... February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian 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. ... The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. ... The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. ...

Early life

Nash was born in Kidderminster, a town in the English county of Worcestershire. He was born into a poor family and his father was an alcoholic. Nash performed well at school and won a scholarship to King Charles I Grammar School but additional costs associated with attending prevented him from accepting. Nash began employment as a clerk, initially with a lawyer in Kidderminster and then at a factory near Birmingham. , Kidderminster is a town in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Worcestershire (pronounced ; abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ... King Charles I School is a voluntary-controlled state school in the town of Kidderminster, Worcestershire. ... Birmingham (pron. ...

In 1906 Nash married Lotty May Easton and established a shop. He became highly active in his community, participating in a large number of societies and clubs. He also attended night school to further his education. By 1908, however, problems began to arise—his wife and son were both ill and a daughter died at birth. In addition an economic recession in the following year seriously harmed his business. The family decided to leave England, settling on New Zealand as a destination.

After arriving in Wellington, in mid-1909, Nash became secretary to a local tailor. His wife had two more sons. Nash's religious and political beliefs also began to solidify at this point, with the strong Christian faith he received from his mother being merged with a growing belief in socialism. Nash would remain a "Christian Socialist" for the remainder of his life, believing that the two components were inseparable. His political opinions were influenced by his friendship with prominent New Zealand socialists such as Michael Joseph Savage, Bob Semple and Harry Holland. Nash also became a committed pacifist. Alternative meanings at Wellington (disambiguation) A view of Wellington from the top of Mount Victoria. ... Christianity percentage by country, purple is highest, orange is lowest Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch... Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to control by the community[1] for the purposes of increasing social and economic equality and cooperation. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Christian socialism generally refers to those... Michael Joseph Savage (March 23, 1872 - March 27, 1940) was a New Zealand politician and the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand. ... Robert Semple (commonly known as Bob Semple, 1873 - 1955) was a union leader and later Minister of Public Works for the first Labour Government of New Zealand. ... Henry Edmund (Harry) Holland (10 June 1868 - 8 October 1933) was a New Zealand politician and unionist. ... Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes or gaining advantage. ...

Nash's financial situation deteriorated, however, when the tailor's firm that he worked for (and was a shareholder of) declined. Nash and his family moved to Palmerston North where he became a salesman for a wool and cloth merchant. Later he established a tailoring company in New Plymouth along with Bill Besley, a tailor from Stratford, although the business performed poorly. Palmerston North (Māori: ) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... The 45 metre high Wind Wand on the New Plymouth waterfront New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... Stratford is the main town of the central Taranaki region, aptly named as the Stratford District. Situated directly inland from Mount Taranaki, Stratford is a rural service centre with a 2001 population of 5225. ...

Early political career

Nash had briefly been involved with the first Labour Party, established in 1911, but this association had been interrupted by his financial difficulties. In 1918, however, he helped to establish the New Plymouth branch of the modern New Zealand Labour Party and he became highly active. The following year Nash was elected to the party's national executive. The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. ...

In 1920 Nash and his wife travelled to Europe, attending various socialist conferences. When they returned to New Zealand, in January 1921, Nash was fined for importing "seditious literature". Despite the reputation that this fine gave him, among his fellow socialists, Nash was one of the more moderate members of the Labour Party. 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ...

A year after he had returned to Wellington, in 1922, Nash was elected national secretary of the Labour Party. He is often credited with turning the Labour Party into a fully functioning entity; establishing an efficient organisational structure and paying off the party's debts. He also worked hard to increase the party's membership. Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Nash stood for election in the Hutt electorate in the 1925 elections and 1928 elections but was not successful until the 1929 by-election. He also contested the Wellington mayoralty. In Parliament Nash became one of Labour's main finance spokesmen. The New Zealand general election of 1925 was held November 4 to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 22nd session of the New Zealand Parliament. ... 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 Parliament is the legislative body of the New Zealand government. ...

Minister of Finance

When Labour, led by Michael Joseph Savage, won the 1935 elections Nash was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Finance, although he also held a number of more minor positions. He was ranked third in the government, with only Savage and Peter Fraser above him. Michael Joseph Savage (March 23, 1872 - March 27, 1940) was a New Zealand politician and the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand. ... The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 25th term. ... The New Zealand Cabinet functions as the policy and decision-making body of New Zealand governments executive branch. ... The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. ... 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. ...

New Zealand's economy was in poor shape at the time of Nash's appointment as Finance Minister and he was very busy for the early part of his ministerial career. Nash introduced a number of substantial changes, in an attempt to improve the situation, including the nationalisation of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. In 1936 Nash departed for England to conduct trade negotiations. He also visited Berlin and Moscow. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is the central bank of New Zealand. ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ...

After returning to New Zealand he became involved in disputes within the Labour Party about economic policy. In particular he was heavily criticised by supporters of the social credit movement who wanted their views adopted as Labour Party policy. Nash was also attacked by the more radical socialists in the party who saw Nash's pragmatic economic policies as too moderate. Nash, however, was supported by both Savage and Fraser and emerged relatively unscathed. He gained the additional responsibility of implementing Labour's social security plan. Social Credit (often called Socred for short) is an economic ideology and a social movement which started in the early 1920s. ... Social security primarily refers to a field of social welfare service concerned with social protection, or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment, families with children and others. ...

With Savage seriously ill the first years of World War II were difficult for the Labour Party. Further problems were caused by John A. Lee a Labour Party member who launched strong attacks on its economic policy. Lee was particularly vicious towards Savage and Nash. Peter Fraser became Prime Minister after Savage's death and Lee was expelled. Nash, himself, reluctantly abandoned his earlier pacifism, deeming the war a necessary one. For a time Nash served as New Zealand's diplomatic representative in the United States. At the end of the war Nash attended the conferences to create the United Nations and also recommended that New Zealand join the International Monetary Fund. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... John Alfred Alexander Lee (31 October 1891 - 13 June 1982) was a New Zealand politician and writer. ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

As the 1949 election approached, however, the Labour government was becoming increasingly unpopular. Industrial strife and inflation were major causes. In the election the opposition National Party, led by Sidney Holland, won power. Nash, however, retained his seat. The 1949 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 29th term. ... The New Zealand National Party (National or the Nats) 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. ... Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH, (October 18, 1893-August 5, 1961) was Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 13, 1949 to September 20, 1957. ...

Leader of the Opposition

Shortly after the election Fraser died. Nash was elected leader of the Labour Party unopposed. The first major test of his leadership came with the waterfront dispute of the same year, where major strikes were damaging the economy. Labour's position on the matter was seen as indecisive—the party was condemned by many workers for giving them insufficient support but at the same time was condemned by the business community for being "soft" on the communist-influenced unions. Labour suffered badly in the snap election that Holland called in 1951 to reaffirm his mandate. The 1951 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 30th term. ...

As Leader of the Opposition Nash is not generally regarded as having been a success. His primary talent appeared to have been in organisation and finance, and not in the inspirational leadership that Savage and Fraser provided. He was also seen as too slow in coming to decisions. In 1954 a majority of the caucus was in favour of a new leader but pressure from the unions allowed Nash to survive the subsequent vote. The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand is the politician who, at least in theory, leads the Opposition bloc in the New Zealand Parliament. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A caucus is most generally defined as being a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement. ...

As the National government began to grow more unpopular Labour regained some of its earlier dynamism. In the 1957 election the party won a narrow victory, assisted by its promises of tax rebates and the abolition of compulsory military training. Nash became Prime Minister. The 1957 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 32nd term. ...

Prime Minister

When Nash took office the country's financial situation was found to be worse than the previous government had admitted, with balance of payments a serious concern. Nash decided that drastic measures would be necessary to bring the situation back under control. These measures resulted in the so-called "Black Budget", presented by new Finance Minister Arnold Nordmeyer. The budget included a significant tax increase and it generated widespread public anger. This was fuelled by the National Party claiming that Nash and Nordmeyer were exaggerating the extent of the problem. The fact that additional taxes were, particularly, placed on petrol, cigarettes and beer contributed to the image of Nash's government as miserly. The situation was exacerbated by Nash's frequent absences from the country, leaving Nordmeyer and other Labour ministers to defend the government's policies themselves. The balance of payments is a measure of the payments that flow from one exports and imports of goods, services, and financial capital, as well financial transfers. ... The Honourable Sir Heinrich Arnold Nordmeyer, ONZ, KCMG, (1901 - 1989), often later known as Arnold Henry Nordmeyer, was a New Zealand politician. ... Gasoline, as it is known in North America, or petrol, in many Commonwealth countries (sometimes also called motor spirit) is a petroleum-derived liquid mixture consisting primarily of hydrocarbons, used as fuel in internal combustion engines. ... Two unlit filtered cigarettes. ... For other uses, see Beer (disambiguation). ...

Nash was also criticised for failing to act in the controversy over the 1959 rugby tour of South Africa, which country was under an apartheid government. On the insistence of the South Africans the New Zealand team included no Māori players and that prompted huge protests throughout New Zealand. Nash, however, refused to step in, saying that the matter was for the rugby authorities to decide. This decision cost Labour much support. For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ... This article is about the Māori people of New Zealand. ...

In the 1960 election Labour was defeated by the National Party and Nash became Leader of the Opposition once again. The 1960 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 33rd term. ...

Later life

Nash, now nearly eighty years old, was not as active as he once had been. The death of his wife in 1961 also took its toll. Gradually, calls for him to retire grew more frequent. Nash, however, refused to step down partly because of a desire to continue his work and partly due to a reluctance to see Arnold Nordmeyer succeed him.

In 1963, however, Nash finally retired as leader of the Labour Party and Nordmeyer was chosen to replace him. Nash had favoured Gerry Skinner and then Fred Hackett to replace him, see New Zealand general election, 1963, but first Skinner and then Hackett died unexpectedly. Clarence Farrington (Gerry) Skinner, MC, (19 January 1900 - 26 April 1962) is a former Labour politician from New Zealand, former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and a Minister 1943-49 & 1957-60. ... The Hon. ... The 1963 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliaments 34th term. ...

Nash remained the MP for Hutt until his death. He also became active in the protest movement against the Vietnam War, denouncing the bombing of North Vietnam by the United States. He died on 4 June 1968. Funds for a children's ward at a hospital in Qui Nhon, Vietnam, serve as a memorial to him. Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN), or less commonly, Vietnamese Democratic Republic (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cộng Hòa), also known as North Vietnam, was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, September 2nd1945 and was recognized by the Peoples Republic of China and the... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Qui Nhon is a coastal city in the centre of Vietnam. ...

External link

• Prime Minister's Office biography

 

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Preceded by: Keith Holyoake	(1957-1960)	Succeeded by: Keith Holyoake
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