New Zealand Democrat Party (1934)

New Zealand Democrat Party
New Zealand Democrat Party
Founder	Minarchism
Political position	Right-wing
Colours	Blue
	Politics of New Zealand; Political parties; Elections;

The New Zealand Democrat Party was a

government.^[1]

Formation

The Democrat Party was founded and developed by

government intervention

in the business world. The slogan "More Business in Government, Less Government in Business", which was once used by the Reform Party, was thought up by Davy.

When the United Party and the Reform Party formed a coalition, Davy initially supported it but later resigned in protest at the legislation the coalition enacted to counter the Great Depression. Davy denounced the coalition as "socialistic by inclination, action and fact".

In 1934, Davy was approached by

United-Reform Coalition, and was also concerned by the rise of the Labour Party. Goodfellow hoped that a small but committed party could hold the balance of power in Parliament

and force the government to adopt more business-friendly policies. It was hoped by Goodfellow and his allies that Davy's talents could create an effective organisation.

Therefore, the New Zealand Democrat Party was founded. Its primary base of support was the business community, particularly in Auckland. Before long, however, Davy and Goodfellow came into conflict. The most notable cause for dispute was the scale of Davy's plans. Goodfellow had wanted a small party focused on winning a select few seats, but Davy was recruiting candidates as though the Democrats were a major party.

Foodfellow tried to remove Davy from the chairmanship of the Democrats in July 1935 and later initiated court proceedings to recover part of the salary Davy had been paid. Davy remained in office, however, and the Democrat Party continued on. The sitting Mayor of Wellington, Thomas Hislop, was recruited as the party's political leader,^[2] and Davy remained its chief organiser and strategist.

1935 election

In the 1935 elections, Davy's campaign was not as effective as his previous efforts. The Democrats fielded fifty-one candidates, including seven former United Party candidates and members of Parliament, including Bill Veitch and Arthur Stallworthy.^[1] However, the Democrats did not win any seats. In total, they won around 7.8% of the national vote (66,695 votes). Despite their failure to enter Parliament, their impact on the election may have been the opposite to what was intended; by splitting the anti-Labour vote, they probably contributed to Labour's overwhelming victory in 1935.

Dissolution

Among the defeated Democrat candidates were Frederick Doidge and Matthew Oram, who would become future National Party MPs.^[3] Davy himself went on to found the People's Movement and the New Zealand Co-operative Party but eventually retired from politics and returned to business. The party's remnants amalgamated with the National Party in 1936.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c McLintock, A. H. "Democrat Party". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
^ "Democrat Choice". Auckland Star. Vol. LXVI, no. 233. 2 October 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
^ Lundy, Jim. "Oram, Matthew Henry - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 17 August 2012.

[Te_Ara-1] McLintock, A. H. "Democrat Party". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 20 August 2012.

[2] "Democrat Choice". Auckland Star. Vol. LXVI, no. 233. 2 October 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 17 January 2017.

[DNZB_Oram-3] Lundy, Jim. "Oram, Matthew Henry - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 17 August 2012.

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