First Labour Government | |
---|---|
![]() Ministries of New Zealand | |
1935–1949 | |
![]() | |
Date formed | 6 December 1935 |
Date dissolved | 13 December 1949 |
People and organisations | |
Monarch |
George V Edward VIII George VI |
Prime Minister |
Michael Joseph Savage (1935–40) Peter Fraser (1940–49) |
Deputy Prime Minister | Peter Fraser (1935–40) Walter Nash (1940–49) |
Member party | Labour Party |
Opposition party |
United–Reform Coalition (1935–1936) National Party (1936–1949) |
Opposition leader |
|
History | |
Elections | |
Predecessor | United–Reform coalition Government of New Zealand |
Successor | First National Government of New Zealand |
The First Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1935 to 1949. Responsible for the realisation of a wide range of progressive social reforms [1] during its time in office, it set the tone of New Zealand's economic and welfare policies until the 1980s, establishing a welfare state, a system of Keynesian economic management, and high levels of state intervention. The government came to power towards the end of, and as a result of, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and also governed the country throughout World War II.
In the 1930s, Labour was a supporter of the League of Nations (a forerunner to the United Nations), seeing the League as the best way to prevent another major war. However the League proved to be ineffectual, and was unable to prevent the Japanese invasion of Manchuria or the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. Under Labour, the New Zealand representative in the League spoke strongly against appeasement of aggressors, particularly the Italian invasion of Abyssinia and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. When World War II broke out, New Zealand immediately declared war on Germany, with Savage saying that 'where Britain goes, we go'. During the war, conscription was introduced. This led some to accuse Labour of hypocrisy, as it had strongly opposed conscription in World War I. The government argued that while the First World War had been an unnecessary imperialist scuffle, the Second World War was a just war against fascist aggressors. Following the war, Fraser became involved in the setting up of the United Nations, and was especially concerned that small countries not be marginalised by the great powers. Peacetime conscription was introduced in 1949, which proved to be an unpopular decision. [10]
"These books and the work of the Branch became internationally famous for high standards of scholarship, humanity, editing, and presentation; and advisors from the Branch subsequently helped other countries set up their schemes of educational publications". [5]
The immediate context of the 1935 election was the Great Depression which had started in 1929 and affected New Zealand as badly as most other Western countries. Following the 1931 election the Reform and United (also known as Liberal) parties had formed a coalition to deal with it. The Labour Party formed the opposition, arguing that the only way out of the depression was socialism. The coalition government instead supported the economic orthodoxy which was that a balanced budget was of paramount importance and that state spending had to be cut to offset the decline in taxation revenue. They also believed that to provide the unemployed with money without making them work was morally wrong, and so put thousands of unemployed to work on often-pointless 'relief work'. Labour argued that the government needed to increase spending and create real jobs.
By 1935 – after the election had been delayed a year because of the depression – many voters who would not otherwise have trusted Labour were disillusioned with the economic orthodoxy and prepared to try something new. Labour was helped by a change of leadership in 1933, after leader Harry Holland died and was replaced by Michael Joseph Savage, who did not seem to be a frightening communist but rather a kindly uncle figure. Labour achieved an overwhelming victory, taking 53 out of 80 seats. A further two were won by the Māori Ratana movement, which formed an alliance with Labour. Despite the size of its victory, Labour won only 46.1% of the popular vote; the government vote was split between Reform and United, and both parties lost votes on the right to the Democrats and the Country Party.
Carl Berendsen, the head of the Prime Minister's Department later said that the first cabinet consisted of a trio of able men (Savage, Fraser and Nash), a witty and worthy toiler ( Semple) and a gaggle of non-entities. Six of the ministers were born in New Zealand, five in Australia, and one each in England and Scotland. More than half of Labour's caucus were new to Parliament. [40] Berendsen wrote that Nash was a poor administrator and organiser, he:
The government increased in popularity during its first term, as people felt the benefits of its policies and of economic recovery. It cannot realistically be credited with ending the Depression in New Zealand, as most economic indicators were showing signs of improvement before the 1935 election[ citation needed]. However government policies such as an increase in pay for relief workers, job creation and generous education policies did bring major benefits to many. Labour's share of the popular vote increased by nearly 10%, but it did not gain any new seats. While in 1935 the anti-Labour vote had been split between two major and two minor parties, by 1938 the United and Reform parties had merged into the New Zealand National Party, which was able to achieve 40.3% of the popular vote and win 25 seats. The Country and Democrat parties' share of the vote collapsed, with the Country Party losing both its seats. From this point on, New Zealand politics would be dominated by the Labour and National parties.
The 1943 election was held during World War II, and had been postponed by about two years due to the war. Conscription was a minor issue in the election; although both major parties supported it, some saw Labour as hypocrites as they had strongly opposed conscription during World War I. The issue may have lost Labour some support on the left, to the Democratic Labour Party, which had been formed by dissident Labour MP John A. Lee following his expulsion from the Labour Party. However the new party received only 4.3% of the vote and won no seats. Labour was given significant help by the votes of New Zealand soldiers overseas, who turned an apparent election-night victory for National into one for Labour; Fraser quipped that it was not only North Africa that the Second Division had saved. The election was also notable for the defeat of Māori statesman Āpirana Ngata, by the Labour- Ratana candidate Tiaka Omana. Labour was to hold the four Māori electorates until 1996.
By 1946 the National Party had gained in strength and credibility. However its support was strongest in rural areas, and in previous elections it had benefited from the country quota, which organised New Zealand electorates so that rural electorates had fewer voters, and therefore rural votes were worth more. In 1945 the government had abolished the quota, which may have cost National the election. Labour gained nearly 4% of the popular vote, but lost three seats, reducing its majority to four. Since the seats it held included the four Māori electorates, the government was said by its opponents to rely on a 'Māori mandate'. It was insinuated that Labour would need to pass unwise pro-Māori policies to stay in power.
By 1949 the government had been in power for 14 years, six of them in wartime. It seemed increasingly worn out and uncertain. The three referendums held in 1949 (in addition to the usual referendum on alcohol licensing, which was held in conjunction with every election), were symptomatic of this. Meanwhile, National had announced that it would not repeal any of Labour's welfare state policies, which endeared it to many who had supported and benefitted from these policies but were tired of the government. National won 51.9% of the popular vote and 46 of out the 80 seats in parliament. Labour would be out of power for another eight years, and would not be in government for more than a single term until 1987.
Election | Parliament | Seats | Total votes | Percentage | Gain (loss) | Seats won | Change | Majority |
1935 | 25th | 80 | 852,637 | 46.1% | ![]() |
53 | ![]() |
26 |
1938 | 26th | 80 | 946,393 | 55.8% | ![]() |
53 | – | 26 |
1943 | 27th | 80 | 941,828 | 47.6% | ![]() |
45 | ![]() |
10 |
1946 | 28th | 80 | 1,047,210 | 51.3% | ![]() |
42 | ![]() |
4 |
1949 | 29th | 80 | 1,073,154 | 47.2% | ![]() |
34 | ![]() |
- |
The government was led by Michael Joseph Savage until his death in 1940. He was succeeded by Peter Fraser, who was Prime Minister for the rest of the government's term. Wilson gives the dates of office-holding as 6 December 1935 to 1 April 1940 for the Savage Ministry (although Savage died on 27 March), and 1 April 1940 to 13 December 1949 for the Fraser Ministry.
Portfolio | Minister | Start | End | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prime Minister | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Peter Fraser | 27 March 1940 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Agriculture | Lee Martin | 6 December 1935 | 21 January 1941 | |
Jim Barclay | 21 January 1941 | 18 October 1943 | ||
Ben Roberts | 18 October 1943 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Ted Cullen | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Attorney-General | Rex Mason | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Customs | Walter Nash | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Defence | Fred Jones | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Education | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
Rex Mason | 30 April 1940 | 18 October 1947 | ||
Terry McCombs | 18 October 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Finance | Walter Nash | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Frank Langstone | 27 March 1940 | 21 December 1942 | ||
Peter Fraser | 7 July 1943 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Commissioner of State Forests | Frank Langstone | 6 December 1935 | 21 December 1942 | |
Jim Barclay | 7 July 1943 | 12 April 1944 | ||
Jerry Skinner | 12 April 1944 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Health | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
Tim Armstrong | 30 April 1940 | 21 January 1941 | ||
Arnold Nordmeyer | 21 January 1941 | 29 May 1947 | ||
Mabel Howard | 29 May 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Housing | Tim Armstrong | 13 December 1938 | 8 November 1942 | |
Bob Semple | 9 December 1942 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Immigration | Tim Armstrong | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
David Wilson | 30 April 1940 | 12 April 1944 | ||
Paddy Webb | 12 April 1944 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Angus McLagan | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Industries and Commerce | Dan Sullivan | 6 December 1935 | 8 April 1947 | |
Arnold Nordmeyer | 29 May 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Internal Affairs | Bill Parry | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Justice | Rex Mason | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Island Territories | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Frank Langstone | 1 April 1940 | 21 December 1942 | ||
Peter Fraser | 7 July 1943 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Labour | Tim Armstrong | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1938 | |
Paddy Webb | 13 December 1938 | 27 June 1946 | ||
James O'Brien | 27 June 1946 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Angus McLagan | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Leader of the Legislative Council | Mark Fagan | 25 March 1936 | 17 September 1939 | |
David Wilson | 17 September 1939 | 26 September 1944 | ||
Angus McLagan | 26 September 1944 | 25 June 1947 | ||
David Wilson | 25 June 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Marine | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
Bob Semple | 30 April 1940 | 12 June 1940 | ||
Gervan McMillan | 12 June 1940 | 21 January 1941 | ||
Bob Semple | 21 January 1941 | 19 December 1942 | ||
James O'Brien | 19 December 1942 | 28 September 1947 | ||
Fred Hackett | 28 September 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Mines | Paddy Webb | 6 December 1935 | 27 June 1946 | |
James O'Brien | 27 June 1946 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Angus McLagan | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Native Affairs | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Frank Langstone | 1 April 1940 | 21 December 1942 | ||
Rex Mason | 7 July 1943 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Peter Fraser | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Police | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Postmaster-General | Fred Jones | 6 December 1935 | 1 April 1940 | |
Paddy Webb | 1 April 1940 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Fred Hackett | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Railways | Dan Sullivan | 6 December 1935 | 12 December 1941 | |
Bob Semple | 12 December 1941 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Revenue | Walter Nash | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister for Social Security | Bill Parry | 25 June 1946 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Transport | Bob Semple | 6 December 1935 | 9 December 1942 | |
James O'Brien | 9 December 1942 | 28 September 1947 | ||
Fred Hackett | 18 October 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister without portfolio | Mark Fagan | 6 December 1935 | 8 November 1939 | |
David Wilson | 8 November 1939 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Paraire Paikea | 21 January 1941 | 6 May 1943 | ||
Eruera Tirikatene | 26 May 1943 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Works | Bob Semple | 6 December 1935 | 21 January 1941 | |
Tim Armstrong | 21 January 1941 | 8 November 1942 | ||
Bob Semple | 8 November 1942 | 13 December 1949 |
The following is a list of ministers from the "War cabinet" (16 July 1940 – 21 August 1945) and "War administration" (30 June 1942 – 2 October 1942). The other members were the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Transport (see above). [42]
Party key | Labour | |
---|---|---|
National | ||
Independent |
Portfolio | Minister | Start | End | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Minister of Armed Forces and War-Co-ordination | Gordon Coates | 30 June 1942 | 15 October 1942 | |
15 October 1942 | 27 May 1943 | |||
Minister of Civil Defence | William Bodkin | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
David Wilson | 2 October 1942 | 12 April 1944 | ||
Minister of Industrial Manpower | Angus McLagan | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister in Charge of Maori War Effort | Paraire Paikea | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister of National Service | Walter Broadfoot | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister of Primary Production for War Purposes | William Polson | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister of Supply and Munitions | Dan Sullivan | 16 July 1940 | 30 June 1942 | |
Adam Hamilton | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | ||
Dan Sullivan | 2 October 1942 | 21 August 1945 | ||
Minister in Charge of War Expenditure | Sidney Holland | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Adam Hamilton | 30 October 1942 | 22 August 1945 |
First Labour Government | |
---|---|
![]() Ministries of New Zealand | |
1935–1949 | |
![]() | |
Date formed | 6 December 1935 |
Date dissolved | 13 December 1949 |
People and organisations | |
Monarch |
George V Edward VIII George VI |
Prime Minister |
Michael Joseph Savage (1935–40) Peter Fraser (1940–49) |
Deputy Prime Minister | Peter Fraser (1935–40) Walter Nash (1940–49) |
Member party | Labour Party |
Opposition party |
United–Reform Coalition (1935–1936) National Party (1936–1949) |
Opposition leader |
|
History | |
Elections | |
Predecessor | United–Reform coalition Government of New Zealand |
Successor | First National Government of New Zealand |
The First Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1935 to 1949. Responsible for the realisation of a wide range of progressive social reforms [1] during its time in office, it set the tone of New Zealand's economic and welfare policies until the 1980s, establishing a welfare state, a system of Keynesian economic management, and high levels of state intervention. The government came to power towards the end of, and as a result of, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and also governed the country throughout World War II.
In the 1930s, Labour was a supporter of the League of Nations (a forerunner to the United Nations), seeing the League as the best way to prevent another major war. However the League proved to be ineffectual, and was unable to prevent the Japanese invasion of Manchuria or the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. Under Labour, the New Zealand representative in the League spoke strongly against appeasement of aggressors, particularly the Italian invasion of Abyssinia and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. When World War II broke out, New Zealand immediately declared war on Germany, with Savage saying that 'where Britain goes, we go'. During the war, conscription was introduced. This led some to accuse Labour of hypocrisy, as it had strongly opposed conscription in World War I. The government argued that while the First World War had been an unnecessary imperialist scuffle, the Second World War was a just war against fascist aggressors. Following the war, Fraser became involved in the setting up of the United Nations, and was especially concerned that small countries not be marginalised by the great powers. Peacetime conscription was introduced in 1949, which proved to be an unpopular decision. [10]
"These books and the work of the Branch became internationally famous for high standards of scholarship, humanity, editing, and presentation; and advisors from the Branch subsequently helped other countries set up their schemes of educational publications". [5]
The immediate context of the 1935 election was the Great Depression which had started in 1929 and affected New Zealand as badly as most other Western countries. Following the 1931 election the Reform and United (also known as Liberal) parties had formed a coalition to deal with it. The Labour Party formed the opposition, arguing that the only way out of the depression was socialism. The coalition government instead supported the economic orthodoxy which was that a balanced budget was of paramount importance and that state spending had to be cut to offset the decline in taxation revenue. They also believed that to provide the unemployed with money without making them work was morally wrong, and so put thousands of unemployed to work on often-pointless 'relief work'. Labour argued that the government needed to increase spending and create real jobs.
By 1935 – after the election had been delayed a year because of the depression – many voters who would not otherwise have trusted Labour were disillusioned with the economic orthodoxy and prepared to try something new. Labour was helped by a change of leadership in 1933, after leader Harry Holland died and was replaced by Michael Joseph Savage, who did not seem to be a frightening communist but rather a kindly uncle figure. Labour achieved an overwhelming victory, taking 53 out of 80 seats. A further two were won by the Māori Ratana movement, which formed an alliance with Labour. Despite the size of its victory, Labour won only 46.1% of the popular vote; the government vote was split between Reform and United, and both parties lost votes on the right to the Democrats and the Country Party.
Carl Berendsen, the head of the Prime Minister's Department later said that the first cabinet consisted of a trio of able men (Savage, Fraser and Nash), a witty and worthy toiler ( Semple) and a gaggle of non-entities. Six of the ministers were born in New Zealand, five in Australia, and one each in England and Scotland. More than half of Labour's caucus were new to Parliament. [40] Berendsen wrote that Nash was a poor administrator and organiser, he:
The government increased in popularity during its first term, as people felt the benefits of its policies and of economic recovery. It cannot realistically be credited with ending the Depression in New Zealand, as most economic indicators were showing signs of improvement before the 1935 election[ citation needed]. However government policies such as an increase in pay for relief workers, job creation and generous education policies did bring major benefits to many. Labour's share of the popular vote increased by nearly 10%, but it did not gain any new seats. While in 1935 the anti-Labour vote had been split between two major and two minor parties, by 1938 the United and Reform parties had merged into the New Zealand National Party, which was able to achieve 40.3% of the popular vote and win 25 seats. The Country and Democrat parties' share of the vote collapsed, with the Country Party losing both its seats. From this point on, New Zealand politics would be dominated by the Labour and National parties.
The 1943 election was held during World War II, and had been postponed by about two years due to the war. Conscription was a minor issue in the election; although both major parties supported it, some saw Labour as hypocrites as they had strongly opposed conscription during World War I. The issue may have lost Labour some support on the left, to the Democratic Labour Party, which had been formed by dissident Labour MP John A. Lee following his expulsion from the Labour Party. However the new party received only 4.3% of the vote and won no seats. Labour was given significant help by the votes of New Zealand soldiers overseas, who turned an apparent election-night victory for National into one for Labour; Fraser quipped that it was not only North Africa that the Second Division had saved. The election was also notable for the defeat of Māori statesman Āpirana Ngata, by the Labour- Ratana candidate Tiaka Omana. Labour was to hold the four Māori electorates until 1996.
By 1946 the National Party had gained in strength and credibility. However its support was strongest in rural areas, and in previous elections it had benefited from the country quota, which organised New Zealand electorates so that rural electorates had fewer voters, and therefore rural votes were worth more. In 1945 the government had abolished the quota, which may have cost National the election. Labour gained nearly 4% of the popular vote, but lost three seats, reducing its majority to four. Since the seats it held included the four Māori electorates, the government was said by its opponents to rely on a 'Māori mandate'. It was insinuated that Labour would need to pass unwise pro-Māori policies to stay in power.
By 1949 the government had been in power for 14 years, six of them in wartime. It seemed increasingly worn out and uncertain. The three referendums held in 1949 (in addition to the usual referendum on alcohol licensing, which was held in conjunction with every election), were symptomatic of this. Meanwhile, National had announced that it would not repeal any of Labour's welfare state policies, which endeared it to many who had supported and benefitted from these policies but were tired of the government. National won 51.9% of the popular vote and 46 of out the 80 seats in parliament. Labour would be out of power for another eight years, and would not be in government for more than a single term until 1987.
Election | Parliament | Seats | Total votes | Percentage | Gain (loss) | Seats won | Change | Majority |
1935 | 25th | 80 | 852,637 | 46.1% | ![]() |
53 | ![]() |
26 |
1938 | 26th | 80 | 946,393 | 55.8% | ![]() |
53 | – | 26 |
1943 | 27th | 80 | 941,828 | 47.6% | ![]() |
45 | ![]() |
10 |
1946 | 28th | 80 | 1,047,210 | 51.3% | ![]() |
42 | ![]() |
4 |
1949 | 29th | 80 | 1,073,154 | 47.2% | ![]() |
34 | ![]() |
- |
The government was led by Michael Joseph Savage until his death in 1940. He was succeeded by Peter Fraser, who was Prime Minister for the rest of the government's term. Wilson gives the dates of office-holding as 6 December 1935 to 1 April 1940 for the Savage Ministry (although Savage died on 27 March), and 1 April 1940 to 13 December 1949 for the Fraser Ministry.
Portfolio | Minister | Start | End | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prime Minister | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Peter Fraser | 27 March 1940 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Agriculture | Lee Martin | 6 December 1935 | 21 January 1941 | |
Jim Barclay | 21 January 1941 | 18 October 1943 | ||
Ben Roberts | 18 October 1943 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Ted Cullen | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Attorney-General | Rex Mason | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Customs | Walter Nash | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Defence | Fred Jones | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Education | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
Rex Mason | 30 April 1940 | 18 October 1947 | ||
Terry McCombs | 18 October 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Finance | Walter Nash | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Frank Langstone | 27 March 1940 | 21 December 1942 | ||
Peter Fraser | 7 July 1943 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Commissioner of State Forests | Frank Langstone | 6 December 1935 | 21 December 1942 | |
Jim Barclay | 7 July 1943 | 12 April 1944 | ||
Jerry Skinner | 12 April 1944 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Health | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
Tim Armstrong | 30 April 1940 | 21 January 1941 | ||
Arnold Nordmeyer | 21 January 1941 | 29 May 1947 | ||
Mabel Howard | 29 May 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Housing | Tim Armstrong | 13 December 1938 | 8 November 1942 | |
Bob Semple | 9 December 1942 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Immigration | Tim Armstrong | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
David Wilson | 30 April 1940 | 12 April 1944 | ||
Paddy Webb | 12 April 1944 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Angus McLagan | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Industries and Commerce | Dan Sullivan | 6 December 1935 | 8 April 1947 | |
Arnold Nordmeyer | 29 May 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Internal Affairs | Bill Parry | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Justice | Rex Mason | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Island Territories | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Frank Langstone | 1 April 1940 | 21 December 1942 | ||
Peter Fraser | 7 July 1943 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Labour | Tim Armstrong | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1938 | |
Paddy Webb | 13 December 1938 | 27 June 1946 | ||
James O'Brien | 27 June 1946 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Angus McLagan | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Leader of the Legislative Council | Mark Fagan | 25 March 1936 | 17 September 1939 | |
David Wilson | 17 September 1939 | 26 September 1944 | ||
Angus McLagan | 26 September 1944 | 25 June 1947 | ||
David Wilson | 25 June 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Marine | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 30 April 1940 | |
Bob Semple | 30 April 1940 | 12 June 1940 | ||
Gervan McMillan | 12 June 1940 | 21 January 1941 | ||
Bob Semple | 21 January 1941 | 19 December 1942 | ||
James O'Brien | 19 December 1942 | 28 September 1947 | ||
Fred Hackett | 28 September 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Mines | Paddy Webb | 6 December 1935 | 27 June 1946 | |
James O'Brien | 27 June 1946 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Angus McLagan | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Native Affairs | Michael Joseph Savage | 6 December 1935 | 27 March 1940 | |
Frank Langstone | 1 April 1940 | 21 December 1942 | ||
Rex Mason | 7 July 1943 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Peter Fraser | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Police | Peter Fraser | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Postmaster-General | Fred Jones | 6 December 1935 | 1 April 1940 | |
Paddy Webb | 1 April 1940 | 19 December 1946 | ||
Fred Hackett | 19 December 1946 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Railways | Dan Sullivan | 6 December 1935 | 12 December 1941 | |
Bob Semple | 12 December 1941 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Revenue | Walter Nash | 6 December 1935 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister for Social Security | Bill Parry | 25 June 1946 | 13 December 1949 | |
Minister of Transport | Bob Semple | 6 December 1935 | 9 December 1942 | |
James O'Brien | 9 December 1942 | 28 September 1947 | ||
Fred Hackett | 18 October 1947 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister without portfolio | Mark Fagan | 6 December 1935 | 8 November 1939 | |
David Wilson | 8 November 1939 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Paraire Paikea | 21 January 1941 | 6 May 1943 | ||
Eruera Tirikatene | 26 May 1943 | 13 December 1949 | ||
Minister of Works | Bob Semple | 6 December 1935 | 21 January 1941 | |
Tim Armstrong | 21 January 1941 | 8 November 1942 | ||
Bob Semple | 8 November 1942 | 13 December 1949 |
The following is a list of ministers from the "War cabinet" (16 July 1940 – 21 August 1945) and "War administration" (30 June 1942 – 2 October 1942). The other members were the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Transport (see above). [42]
Party key | Labour | |
---|---|---|
National | ||
Independent |
Portfolio | Minister | Start | End | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Minister of Armed Forces and War-Co-ordination | Gordon Coates | 30 June 1942 | 15 October 1942 | |
15 October 1942 | 27 May 1943 | |||
Minister of Civil Defence | William Bodkin | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
David Wilson | 2 October 1942 | 12 April 1944 | ||
Minister of Industrial Manpower | Angus McLagan | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister in Charge of Maori War Effort | Paraire Paikea | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister of National Service | Walter Broadfoot | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister of Primary Production for War Purposes | William Polson | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Minister of Supply and Munitions | Dan Sullivan | 16 July 1940 | 30 June 1942 | |
Adam Hamilton | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | ||
Dan Sullivan | 2 October 1942 | 21 August 1945 | ||
Minister in Charge of War Expenditure | Sidney Holland | 30 June 1942 | 2 October 1942 | |
Adam Hamilton | 30 October 1942 | 22 August 1945 |