Alexander Herdman

Alexander Lawrence Herdman (17 July 1869 - 13 June 1953) was a New Zealand politician. He served as Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Police. He is known for his reforms of the civil service and for his hard line on law and order.

Early life

Herdman was born in Dunedin. He studied at Otago Boys' High School, and then gained a law degree while working part time. He was admitted to the bar in 1894, and established a practice in Naseby the following year. He also worked in Palmerston, where he joined the local Freemason lodge. He would retain his connection with the Freemasons over his career, eventually grand master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

Early political career

Herdman began a political career in Naseby, being elected mayor in 1898. He eventually decided to abandon this by moving to Wellington in 1902, but shortly after he arrived, he was invited to return and stand as a parliamentary candidate in Mt Ida, the electorate which encompassed Naseby. In the 1902 election, Herdman ran on a strongly anti-government platform, harshly criticising the governing Liberal Party. He was elected, and joined the unorganised group of independents who opposed the Liberals. He did not, however, move back to Naseby, instead representing his seat as an absentee.

In the 1905 election, Herdman was defeated. In the 1908 election, he contested the seat of Wellington North, and was elected. The following year, William Massey organised the opposition into the Reform Party, which Herdman became part of.

One of Herdman's early concerns in Parliament was the reform of the public service. Herdman believed that the service was poorly organised and subject to political patronage, particularly under the government of Richard Seddon. In the 1912 election, the Reform Party won office, and Herdman was able to push through his reform proposals — the Public Service Act of 1912 established uniform conditions of appointment and promotion, and established a supervisory commissioner.

Ministerial career

In Cabinet, Herdman served as Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Police. In these roles, he gained a reputation as a hard-liner, being described by a contemporary as "ready to employ force ruthlessly for the purpose of upholding law and order". Herdman is believed to have had a major role in the suppression of the Waihi miners' strike, and of the waterfront strike the following year. Both were criticised by many left-wing groups as heavy-handed and repressive, but were defended by the government as necessary steps to preserve order. During World War I, Herdman supported strong measures against anyone protesting New Zealand's participation. As Minister of Police, Herdman also responded harshly to attempts by police officers to form a union, prohibiting the move and attempting to drive the instigators out of the force.

Judicial career

In addition to his political ambitions, Herdman was also interested in becoming a judge of the (original) Supreme Court. As Attorney-General, he had powers to appoint judges, and in 1918, when a position became vacant, he appointed himself. This move was criticised by many as self-interested, especially as Herdman's career as a lawyer had not been particularly distinguished. He served as a judge both in Christchurch and Auckland, and briefly acted as Chief Justice in 1929.

Attempted return to politics

In 1935, he resigned from his judicial position to seek re-election to Parliament, contesting the Auckland seat of Parnell. He was officially an independent, although he had close links to the Democrat Party. He was unsuccessful, and subsequently retired to the Lake Okataina area. He died in Rotorua on 13 June 1953.

Further reading

:*citation |first = Susan |last = Butterworth |title = 'Herdman, Alexander Lawrence 1869-1953'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 22 June 2007 |url = http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/ |accessdate = 2008-04-18

:*citation |first = James |last = Christie |title = Manual of the war legislation of New Zealand : comprising acts of Parliament, proclamations, orders in Council, and other instruments passed, issued, and made in consequence of the war, and in force on 30th September, 1916 |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = Government Printer |year = 1916

:*"This volume was produced under the direction of Herdman (at that time" Attorney-General).