1906: Westland Buy-election

July 12, 2019

By AHNZ

Today in New Zealand History: 13 July, 1906, Westland Buy-election

New Zealand Prime Minister Richard Seddon’s heart attack killed him, also vacating his electorate seat in Westland. Hokitika Mayor Henry Michel took a run at it but it was Seddon’s son Thomas who would take the seat.

I believe this postcard dates from Seddon’s first term, created by Michel’s campaign team. It portrays the Liberal Premier Ward (left) as a Wyandotte chicken while Michel (right) seems to be a cock of greater stature. Still in his egg, little chick Seddon has to walk a careful line as a Liberal because the locals prize their independence from the Liberal Party, a position championed by Michel.

Were Seddon to associate himself too much with Ward and the Liberals by pecking at the government ticket (ie party politics) it would cost him votes against the clear and present danger breathing down his neck; Michel. I think Coasters were mad about Seddon Snr but distrustful of the men who inherited his mantle such as Ward who had long coveted it.

Seddon the Younger succeeded in keeping Westland, sticking around until 1922. Michel was eventually put on the Legislative Council retirement programme until he died in office like so many others of the day.

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Image ref. AHNZ Files

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