Sir Joseph Ward

Download or read book Sir Joseph Ward written by Michael Bassett and published by Auckland University Press. This book was released on 2013-11-01 with total page 600 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 nevert