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In 1915 the governor persuaded Massey and Ward to form a wartime coalition, the National government. Ward’s contempt for Massey caused difficulties, but the ministry held until 1919. Massey also put the prime ministership on the international stage by serving in the novel Imperial War Cabinet, spending extended periods in London.
In a particularly notorious incident on 2 April 1915, a group of drunken New Zealand and Australian soldiers rioted in the Wasa’a district. Tensions had steadily been rising before the riot – fuelled by stories of price-gouging, theft and scams inflicted upon the Australasian troops.
August 1915 brought about a National Government under Massey. Along with defence minister James Allen Massey introduced a policy of conscription, further boosting the resources of the already-renowned New Zealand division, which ultimately saw hard service in Gallipoli in addition to France.
A coalition with the Liberal Party led by Sir Joseph Ward enabled Massey to continue his ministry in 1915. He participated in the Imperial War Cabinet (1917–18) and signed the Treaty of Versailles at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, making New Zealand a founding member of the League of Nations.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Massey was able to stay in power in 1915 by forming a coalition with the Liberal party. He maintained himself in office by the slimmest of majorities until 1925. Farm unrest caused by inflation troubled his last years.
Massey reluctantly invited Joseph Ward of the Liberals to form a war-time coalition, created in 1915. While Massey remained prime minister, Ward gained de facto status as joint leader. Massey and Ward travelled to Britain several times, both during and after the war, to discuss military co-operation and peace settlements.
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William Ferguson Massey (1856-1925) was a New Zealand political leader and prime minister. His talent for administration saw his country through World War I and led New Zealand to economic recovery.
