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[Narrator] The small Marlborough town of Seddon, sitting on the banks of the Awatere River, is named
after one of New Zealand's most famous and popular politicians -- Richard John Seddon.
The nearby town of Ward is named after Sir Joseph Ward, who succeeded Seddon.
When the Liberals came to power in 1890, they argued that the large pastoral estates in
New Zealand were creating a wealthy elite. This excluded the ordinary working man from
making a living out of farming. So the Liberals decided to break up the large holdings by
introducing a graduated land tax. They also compulsorily purchased over 200 large estates.
Seddon and Ward were both cabinet members who presided over this policy.
The town of Seddon was created in 1899 when the 14,000 hectare Starborough estate was
broken. Ward was created six years later when the 23,000 hectare Flaxbourne estate, containing
over 70,000 sheep, was subdivided.
The Liberals policy was not always opposed by the large landholders as the sheep economy
was changing. Originally the huge holdings had grown sheep purely for wool. But by the
1890s refrigerated shipping allowed the production of sheep for meat as well as wool. This allowed
new breeds of sheep and much larger stock numbers. Breaking up the estates suited the
new meat economy.
Richard John Seddon was the first 'ordinary bloke' politician. He was not well educated,
and dropped his 'aitches'. He had worked as a gold miner and publican on the rough West
Coast of New Zealand. Seddon was a great orator, and ordinary New Zealanders easily related
to him. Nevertheless, 'King ***' as he was nicknamed, was autocratic, and used his power
to get jobs for his mates. He regularly held up to half a dozen ministerial positions,
as well as being Premier.
Seddon was a huge man -- six feet tall, and over 20 stone in weight. His large pot belly
was often hidden by a trademark 'frock-coat'. As a member, then leader, of the reformist
Liberal Government of the 1890s, Seddon's achievements were considerable. As well as
breaking up large rural estates, his government introduced an industrial arbitration system,
votes for women -- although Seddon personally did not embrace this measure -- and pensions
for the elderly.
Charismatic and shrewd, Seddon was the first New Zealand politician to exploit the game
of rugby. The results of games played by the 1905 All Blacks were announced through his
office, and he rewarded the triumphant team with a holiday tour of Canada and the United
States while returning home. Then, as the self-appointed 'Minister of Football', he
was the first to greet them when they finally arrived.
Seddon died suddenly the following year, en route from Australia. He had just cabled the
Victorian state premier that he was about to return to 'God's own country'. This is
reputedly the origin of the popular term for New Zealand as 'Godzone'.
Seddon's successor, Sir Joseph Ward, was a businessman from Southland who lacked his
predecessor's charisma but continued his popular policies. Ward was born in Australia, became
a merchant in Bluff and was responsible for starting the Ocean beach freezing works there.
When serving as colonial treasurer he became bankrupt, but managed to restore his wealth
and reputation. He rejoined cabinet, introduced the penny postage stamp, and followed Seddon
as premier.
Ward served again as prime minister, aged in his 70s, from 1928 to 1930, which was the
year he died. Ward's political success came despite the fact that he was a Catholic and
was the target of some anti-Catholic feeling.