Frederick Pirani

Frederick Pirani (3 December 1858 – 26 October 1926) was a New Zealand politician. He was Member of the House of Representatives for Palmerston from 1893 to 1902, first as a Liberal, then as an Independent. He was part of the Liberal Party's "left" (radical) wing.^[1]

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 1870s, and later became a journalist.^[1]

Political career

In 1884 he moved to Palmerston North, where he became involved in politics. He was elected as councillor of Palmerston North Borough in 1888–1889, and again in 1901.^[1][2]

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.^[1]

In 1896 he was associated with the Radical Party, and stood as an "independent liberal". In 1898 he voted against the government on a confidence motion, effectively becoming part of the opposition. He was re-elected as an independent in 1899. He contested the 1902 election in the Hutt electorate, but was defeated by Thomas Wilford.^[3] While he stood again as an independent in Palmerston in 1905, Wanganui in 1914, and Wellington Central in 1919, he came second each time and never regained elected office.^[1]

Pirani died in Wellington on 26 October 1926.^[1]

References

Further reading

• Symondson, B. Frederick Pirani, MHR Palmerston North, 1893-1902: a study of his political career. MA thesis, Massey, 1977