William MacDonald (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable
William MacDonald
MP

William MacDonald in ca 1910
7th Leader of the Opposition
In office
21 January 1920  31 August 1920
Deputy Thomas Wilford
Preceded by Joseph Ward
Succeeded by Thomas Wilford
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Bay of Plenty
In office
17 November 1908  31 August 1920
Preceded by William Herries
Succeeded by Kenneth Williams
Personal details
Born 1862
Died 31 August 1920
Political party Liberal

William Donald Stuart MacDonald (1862 31 August 1920) was a New Zealand politician, Cabinet Minister, and briefly Leader of the Opposition.

Early life

MacDonald was born in Victoria in 1862. He emigrated to Poverty Bay in New Zealand in 1882. He managed several sheep stations during his career.[1]

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
19081911 17th Bay of Plenty Liberal
19111914 18th Bay of Plenty Liberal
19141919 19th Bay of Plenty Liberal
19191920 20th Bay of Plenty Liberal

He was Member of the House of Representatives for the Bay of Plenty from 1908 to 1920. He served as Minister of Public Works and Minister of Māori Affairs in the short lived 1912 cabinet of Thomas Mackenzie. He also served in the wartime (1915–19) National cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Mines and Minister in Charge of the Legislative, Public Buildings, Inspection of Machinery, State Fire and Accident Insurance Departments.[2]

In 1919, following Joseph Ward's failure to gain re-election, MacDonald was elected leader of the Liberal Party.[3] He filled that role until his death in 1920.

Death

MacDonald died suddenly in his Kelburn home of a heart attack aged 56. He left a widow, two sons and three daughters.[4]

Further reading

References

  1. Mackay, Joseph Angus (1949). Historic Poverty Bay and the East Coast, N.I., N.Z.. Gisborne, [N.Z.]: Joseph Angus Mackay. pp. 358–359.
  2. Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. pp. 76, 214. OCLC 154283103.
  3. "The Liberal Leadership". Patea Mail. 23 January 1920. p. 3. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. "Obituary". Hawera & Normanby Star. 1 September 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
Political offices
Preceded by
Joseph Ward
Leader of the Opposition
1919–1920
Succeeded by
Thomas Wilford
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
William Herries
Member of Parliament for Bay of Plenty
1908–1920
Succeeded by
Kenneth Williams
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joseph Ward
Leader of the Liberal Party
1919–1920
Succeeded by
Thomas Wilford
Preceded by
George Laurenson
Senior Whip of the Liberal Party
19101912
Succeeded by
George Forbes
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