Sydney George Smith (19 January 1879 – 21 May 1943) was a New Zealand politician of the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

and then the

National Party National Party or Nationalist Party may refer to: Active parties * National Party of Australia, commonly known as ''The Nationals'' * Bangladesh: ** Bangladesh Nationalist Party ** Jatiya Party (Ershad) a.k.a. ''National Party (Ershad)'' * Californ ...

, and a cabinet minister.

Early life

Smith was born in

New Plymouth New Plymouth () is the major city of the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after the English city of Plymouth, in Devon, from where the first English settlers to New Plymouth migrated. The New Pl ...

in 1879. His parents were the MHR Edward Smith and Mary Ann Golding. He enjoyed rugby during his youth, and later became an administrator for the sport for the

Taranaki Region Taranaki is a region in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It is named after its main geographical feature, the stratovolcano Taranaki Maunga, formerly known as Mount Egmont. The main centre is the city of New Plymouth. The New Plymouth ...

. On 19 November 1901, he married Elsie Rose Herbert (known as Rose) at St Mary's Church in New Plymouth. She was a daughter of G H Herbert of the

Royal Engineers The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually called the Royal Engineers (RE), and commonly known as the ''Sappers'', is the engineering arm of the British Army. It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces ...

. They had three children: Rosa Maud (b. 1902), Ethel Mary (b. 1905), and Edward George (b. 1906). His wife died on 3 April 1913, aged 35. Smith remarried on 25 February 1915, to Catherine (Kate) Bint, again at St Mary's Church. Kate Bint was born in July 1892 at Tarata in Taranaki, some by road west of

Inglewood Inglewood may refer to: Places Australia *Inglewood, Queensland * Shire of Inglewood, Queensland, a former local government area *Inglewood, South Australia *Inglewood, Victoria *Inglewood, Western Australia Canada * Inglewood, Ontario *Inglewoo ...

. He had a further three children from his second marriage: Raymond Sydney (1916–1944), Harry Allman (1918–1998), and Lorna Hazel (b. 1922). He worked in the New Zealand Railways for 20 years, and for 13 years held office in the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants.

Political career

Smith held various offices with trade unions. He was on the New Plymouth Borough Council. He had interests in education. Smith successfully contested the

Taranaki Taranaki is a regions of New Zealand, region in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It is named after its main geographical feature, the stratovolcano Mount Taranaki, Taranaki Maunga, formerly known as Mount Egmont. The main centre is the ...

electorate in a by-election in (following the death of Henry Okey) as an

Independent Labour The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was a British political party of the left, established in 1893 at a conference in Bradford, after local and national dissatisfaction with the Liberals' apparent reluctance to endorse working-class candidate ...

candidate. Smith sat together with the other Labour MPs in Parliament but always stressed his independence. Soon after entering the house MP Charles Wilkinson referred to Labour Party leader

Alfred Hindmarsh Alfred Humphrey Hindmarsh (18 April 1860 – 13 November 1918) was a New Zealand politician, lawyer, and unionist. He died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. He served as the first leader of the modern New Zealand Labour Party. Early life Hindma ...

as the "leader" of Smith. In reply Smith said "You leave the member for Taranaki alone, he will choose his own leader." He was confirmed at the , and in successfully stood as a Liberal–Labour candidate. In 1925 he stood unsuccessfully for

for the

. He was successful in and returned to Parliament for the United Party until he was defeated at the by Labour candidate Fred Frost. Smith was

Minister of Labour Minister of labour (in British English) or labor (in American English) is typically a cabinet-level position with portfolio responsibility for setting national labour standards, labour dispute mechanisms, employment, workforce participation, traini ...

and Minister of Mines in the United Government from 28 May 1930 to 22 September 1931. He was

Minister of Education An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...

in the

United–Reform Coalition The United–Reform Coalition, also known as the National Political Federation from May 1935, was a coalition between two of the three major parties of New Zealand, the United Party (New Zealand), United and New Zealand Reform Party, Reform parti ...

from 22 November 1934 to 6 December 1935. He was Chairman of Committees from 11 December 1928 to 28 May 1930, and again from 27 October 1931 to 12 February 1935. In 1935, he was awarded the

King George V Silver Jubilee Medal The King George V Silver Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal, instituted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the accession of King George V. Issue This medal was awarded as a personal souvenir by King George V to commemorate his Silver Ju ...

Death

Smith, who was known as Sid to his friends, died on 21 May 1943 at New Plymouth, and was buried at Te Henui Cemetery. He was survived by his second wife and his six children. All three of his sons were at the time serving overseas in World War II. His son Raymond was killed on 24 December 1943 by a sniper in Italy.

Notes

References

* * , - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Sydney George 1879 births 1943 deaths Independent MPs of New Zealand New Zealand Liberal Party MPs New Zealand National Party MPs Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand United Party (New Zealand) MPs Ministers of education of New Zealand New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives Unsuccessful candidates in the 1938 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 1925 New Zealand general election Burials at Te Henui Cemetery New Zealand people in rail transport