Sir Joseph Ward

Sir Joseph Ward

The story of an ambitious, first-generation New Zealander of Irish Catholic parents, who spent more than half a century in local and central government politics, influencing much in New Zealand life. Ward was the leading political figure during the Liberal Party's forty-year life: he was a member of Ballance's first Cabinet in 1891, twice Prime Minister, and died in 1930, still a Minister. This lively biography contains much new material about Ward's private business dealings, his flourishing Southland company, his bankruptcy, and rehabilitation. It shows a genial, courteous, fast-talking man of vision who nevertheless had difficulty adapting to a changing world and is told with the rare insight of a former practitioner.

Sir Joseph Ward

Sir Joseph Ward (1856-1930) was the leading political figure during the forty-year life of the Liberal Party in New Zealand. He was a member of Ballance's first Cabinet, twice Prime Minister (1906-12 and 1928-30), and was still a Cabinet Minister at the time of his death. This lively biography is the story of an ambitious first-generation New Zealander of Irish Catholic parents who spent more than half a century in local and central government politics, influencing the directions taken in many areas of New Zealand life. It contains much new material about Ward's private business dealings, his flourishing Southland company, his bankruptcy and his remarkable rehabilitation. Michael Bassett reveals a genial, courteous, fast-talking man of vision who nevertheless experienced difficulty adapting to a changing world. Bassett writes with the insight into political life of a former cabinet minister.

Unauthorised Biography of Sir Joseph Ward, Premier of New Zealand