Frederick Pirani | |
|---|---|
 Frederick Pirani in 1895 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Palmerston | |
| In office 1893–1902 | |
| Preceded by | James Wilson |
| Succeeded by | William Thomas Wood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 December 1858 Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | 26 October 1926 (aged 67) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Political party | Liberal Party Independent |
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]
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]
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]
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Palmerston | Liberal | ||
| 1896–1899 | 13th | Palmerston | Independent Liberal | ||
| 1899–1902 | 14th | Palmerston | Independent | ||
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.[3] He was persuaded to stand again by John 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.[4] 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]
