24th New Zealand Prime Minister. While in Scotland, he began to involve himself in politics on the left, and when he emigrated to New Zealand at age 24, he continued this interest. He became a union activist, but this brought him into conflict with the law as it was and seemed to persuade him to follow a more constitutional way to change society. He was one of the co-founders of the Labour Party in 1916, but his opposition to conscription led to him going to prison for a year. When he got out, he reinvolved himself in Labour politics and was elected to Parliament shortly after the War finished. When Labour's leader, Harry Holland, died in 1933 Michael Joseph Savage became the leader and Fraser his deputy. Together these two led Labour to its victory in 1935. Fraser took on several government portfolios and was a tireless worker in each. Thus, when Savage died in 1940, Fraser was able to take over the reins without too much trouble. The longest-serving Prime Minister of the Labour party, he lost the 1949 election and died a year later.
24th New Zealand Prime Minister. While in Scotland, he began to involve himself in politics on the left, and when he emigrated to New Zealand at age 24, he continued this interest. He became a union activist, but this brought him into conflict with the law as it was and seemed to persuade him to follow a more constitutional way to change society. He was one of the co-founders of the Labour Party in 1916, but his opposition to conscription led to him going to prison for a year. When he got out, he reinvolved himself in Labour politics and was elected to Parliament shortly after the War finished. When Labour's leader, Harry Holland, died in 1933 Michael Joseph Savage became the leader and Fraser his deputy. Together these two led Labour to its victory in 1935. Fraser took on several government portfolios and was a tireless worker in each. Thus, when Savage died in 1940, Fraser was able to take over the reins without too much trouble. The longest-serving Prime Minister of the Labour party, he lost the 1949 election and died a year later.
Bio by: Tim Reynolds
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