Michael Bassett

Sir Joseph Ward Michael Bassett

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.