Sidney Holland

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The Right Honourable
 Sir Sidney George Holland 
MP, GCMG, CH

In office
December 13, 1949 – 20 September 1957
Monarch George VI
Elizabeth II
Deputy Keith Holyoake
Preceded by Peter Fraser
Succeeded by Keith Holyoake

In office
26 November 1940 – 13 December 1949
Preceded by Adam Hamilton
Succeeded by Peter Fraser

Born October 18, 1893(1893-10-18)
Greendale, Canterbury, New Zealand
Died August 5, 1961 (aged 67)
Wellington, New Zealand
Political party National

Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH, (October 18, 1893-August 5, 1961) was Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 13, 1949 to September 20, 1957.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Holland was born in Greendale in the Canterbury region of the South Island.

[edit] Political career

He came from a politically prominent family and his father, Henry Holland served as Mayor of Christchurch from 1912 to 1919. Sidney was elected to Parliament in 1935 after replacing Henry in elections for his seat due to Henry's ill health. In 1940 he became leader of the National Party and served as Leader of the Opposition for nearly ten years, until the National Party won the 1949 elections.

He represented the Christchurch North electorate from 1935 to 1946, and then the Fendalton electorate from 1946 to 1957.

[edit] Prime Minister

His First National Government implemented economic reforms, dismantling many state controls. In 1951, the National government signed the ANZUS defence agreement with Australia and the United States. The government also undertook constitutional change in 1950, by abolishing the Legislative Council, the upper house of Parliament, on the grounds that it was ineffectual. Subsequently New Zealand has had a unicameral parliament.

In 1951 Holland suspended the freedom of the press when he confronted striking dockers and coal miners intent on what he called "industrial anarchy". He called a snap election, and was re-elected Prime Minister.

[edit] Resignation and later life

Following ill health, Holland stepped down as Prime Minister in September 1957 and was replaced by Keith Holyoake.

Holland was knighted not long after leaving office. He died of illness in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1961.

His son Eric Holland became a National MP and a cabinet minister.

[edit] References

 

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Preceded by: Peter Fraser (1949-1957) Succeeded by: Keith Holyoake
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