Frederick Pirani

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Frederick Pirani (3 December 1859 - 26 October 1926) was a New Zealand politician. He was Member of the House of Representatives from 1894 to 1902, first as a Liberal, then as an independent. He was part of the Liberal Party's "left" (radical) wing.

[edit] Early life

Pirani was born in Melbourne, Australia, and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1864. His father was a journalist, and later owner of the Manawatu Evening Standard. Pirani served his apprenticeship as a printer under John Ballance on the Wanganui Herald in the late 1870's, and later became a journalist.

[edit] Entry into politics

In 1884 he moved to Palmerston North, where he became involved in politics. He established a local chapter of the Knights of Labour, and in 1890 stood for Parliament as a Labour candidate, losing by only 61 votes. He was persuaded to stand again by Ballance, and was elected as a Liberal in 1893. He would hold the seat until 1902, but the change in the Liberal platform under Richard Seddon led him to gradually break with the party. In 1896 he stood as an "independent liberal", and in 1898 voted against the government on a confidence motion, effectively becoming part of the opposition. He was re-elected as an independent in 1899, but did not contest the 1902 election due to ill-health. While he stood again as an independent in Palmerston in 1905, Wanganui in 1914, and Wellington Central in 1919, he never again gained elected office.