Consequences of the Depression Riots
An immediate consequence of the Auckland riot was the Public Safety Conservation Act, which was passed in April 1932.
Following the Queen Street riot Parliament passed the Public Safety Conservation Act 1932, which allowed the government to assume virtually unlimited powers during a proclaimed state of emergency. It was based on a similar legislation in Australia in 1930, titled the South Australian Act. The government justified the imposition of this Act due to the recent economic hardship and Communist Activity and said that the intention was not to give authorities more power.
It allowed the government to enforce any regulations and restrictions that they believed necessary during a time of public emergency. This legislation had been passed in an attempt by the government to curtail any future riots after the events on Queen Street and Karangahape Road in April. There was widespread opposition to the Act, which appeared to give the police draconian powers. However, it failed to prevent the outbreak of rioting in Wellington and Christchurch. The act was only used twice: firstly by the Labour government with the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, and later by the National government during the 1951 waterfront dispute. It was repealed in 1987, during a period in which the power of cabinet was curtailed. |
The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, which was passed in April 1932, curtailed the ability of unions to strike.
This legislation was passed amidst the Depression riots of 1932, in an attempt by the government to contain the number of strikes. While conciliation remained a compulsory part of the Act, they made changes so that arbitration would only be pursued if both parties agreed to it. The rapidly increasing number of unemployed workers meant that there were always a lot of people willing to be strike-breakers if unions went on strike. This hindered the ability of unions to achieve their aims by going on strike, because employers were less likely to agree to arbitration.
The governments efforts were effective in decreasing the amount of strike activity. The number of strikes around New Zealand fell from 104000 in 1928 to 72000 in 1933. Disagreements between unions, particularly between the Seaman's, Watersider's and Miners' unions, also hindered there ability due to a lack of unity in the movement.
This legislation was passed amidst the Depression riots of 1932, in an attempt by the government to contain the number of strikes. While conciliation remained a compulsory part of the Act, they made changes so that arbitration would only be pursued if both parties agreed to it. The rapidly increasing number of unemployed workers meant that there were always a lot of people willing to be strike-breakers if unions went on strike. This hindered the ability of unions to achieve their aims by going on strike, because employers were less likely to agree to arbitration.
The governments efforts were effective in decreasing the amount of strike activity. The number of strikes around New Zealand fell from 104000 in 1928 to 72000 in 1933. Disagreements between unions, particularly between the Seaman's, Watersider's and Miners' unions, also hindered there ability due to a lack of unity in the movement.
A short term consequence of the Depression riots was the loss of support for the Communist Party and the Unemployed Workers' Movement.
The Communist Party had attracted many new members and supporters during the initial years of the Great Depression as a result of public dissatisfaction at government relief policies. Most of the people who began to support the Communist Party felt that the Depression had been proof that Capitalism was unable to deliver prosperity nor social justice, as suggested by historian Michael King in "The Penguin History of New Zealand". In the immediate aftermath of the riots that plagued New Zealand in 1932 the media identified the Communist Party as the source of the disorder. Newspaper articles expressed the opinion that the Communists had spurred the violence in the main centres, referring to them as "irresponsibles" and "hooligans". The Unemployed Workers Movement, which played a key role in defending the unemployed during these years, was commonly associated with the Communist Party because of similarities in leadership.
As a result of the media attention that they gained from the riots, the public began to view both the UWM and the Communist Party as the culprits of the violent confrontation that had occurred. Many of the unemployed did not want to involve themselves in this manner of activity and withdrew their support for these organisations. The National Union of the Unemployed was formed in 1933 by non-Communist and pro-Labour Party unemployed. This organisation grew rapidly and by 1934 it held more support in the in the main centres than the UWM.
The Communist Party had attracted many new members and supporters during the initial years of the Great Depression as a result of public dissatisfaction at government relief policies. Most of the people who began to support the Communist Party felt that the Depression had been proof that Capitalism was unable to deliver prosperity nor social justice, as suggested by historian Michael King in "The Penguin History of New Zealand". In the immediate aftermath of the riots that plagued New Zealand in 1932 the media identified the Communist Party as the source of the disorder. Newspaper articles expressed the opinion that the Communists had spurred the violence in the main centres, referring to them as "irresponsibles" and "hooligans". The Unemployed Workers Movement, which played a key role in defending the unemployed during these years, was commonly associated with the Communist Party because of similarities in leadership.
As a result of the media attention that they gained from the riots, the public began to view both the UWM and the Communist Party as the culprits of the violent confrontation that had occurred. Many of the unemployed did not want to involve themselves in this manner of activity and withdrew their support for these organisations. The National Union of the Unemployed was formed in 1933 by non-Communist and pro-Labour Party unemployed. This organisation grew rapidly and by 1934 it held more support in the in the main centres than the UWM.
The Depression riots allowed a voice for radicalism in New Zealand, which lead to the emergence of right-wing political groups such as the New Zealand Legion.
The New Zealand Legion was a radical conservative movement established in February 1933. They rejected the socialist approach that had been taken by the Coates-Forbes Coalition Government to target the Depression. The group opposed government intervention in society and promoted the right of people to be free of government interference in their lives. Support for this group grew rapidly in the first few months, with the movement having gained 20,000 members by late 1933. Much of its support came from smaller provincial towns such as Hawkes Bay. Despite all of the support, the management of the legion was not highly effective and following the election in 1935 the movement ceased to exist. Some of the members of this group went on to join the National Party, which was formed in May 1936. Members of the Legion included future Prime Ministers, Sid Holland and Keith Holyoake.
The New Zealand Legion was a radical conservative movement established in February 1933. They rejected the socialist approach that had been taken by the Coates-Forbes Coalition Government to target the Depression. The group opposed government intervention in society and promoted the right of people to be free of government interference in their lives. Support for this group grew rapidly in the first few months, with the movement having gained 20,000 members by late 1933. Much of its support came from smaller provincial towns such as Hawkes Bay. Despite all of the support, the management of the legion was not highly effective and following the election in 1935 the movement ceased to exist. Some of the members of this group went on to join the National Party, which was formed in May 1936. Members of the Legion included future Prime Ministers, Sid Holland and Keith Holyoake.
A long term consequence of the Depression riots was the choice of New Zealanders to support democracy and give their support to the Labour Party.
Despite the emergence of new right-wing political groups, such as the Democrat Party and the Social Credit Political League, New Zealanders chose to continue to support democracy instead of leaning towards left or right-wing extremes. The Labour Party gained prominence as an alternative to the Coates-Forbes Coalition government, which the public resented for not providing sufficient forms of relief to society. Michael King suggests in "The Penguin History of New Zealand" that the Coalition Government had "exhausted the patience and confidence of too much of the electorate" while the Labour Party "bore no responsibility for the failed policies of the preceding years". The Labour Party, which wanted to make Capitalism more effective, "was promising a benign socialist millennium". In November 1935 the Labour Party was voted into power with Michael Joseph Savage as their leader. The Labour Party won 55 seats, while the Coalition won only 19. Labour remained in power until 1949. |
The Depression riots of 1932 left New Zealander's with a sense of unity within the working class and the development of a class-consciousness by many.
Around half of New Zealand's population experienced real hardship and suffering during the Great Depression. People in New Zealand labeled the situation, "Poverty in a land of plenty". Unemployment became the dominant issue of the era, with the rate rising dramatically from 8000 to 27000 in February 1931. By 1933 this figure had reached 80000. It is believed that an accurate unemployment rate would have been much higher, as statistics at this time did not consider Maori or women. Cuts in government expenditure and new regulations regarding relief schemes led to the widespread opinion that the government was not providing sufficient assistance to their citizens.
Those who were well-off also felt the impact of the economic downturn, but the sacrifices that they made were often less extreme than those of the working class. Many people held the perspective that the government's response to the Depression was making the "rich richer and the poor poorer". The Unemployed Workers Movement and the riots of 1932 created a sense of unity among people during their time of suffering. It sparked feelings of socialism , and the desire to overcome the social inequality that they were enduring.
Around half of New Zealand's population experienced real hardship and suffering during the Great Depression. People in New Zealand labeled the situation, "Poverty in a land of plenty". Unemployment became the dominant issue of the era, with the rate rising dramatically from 8000 to 27000 in February 1931. By 1933 this figure had reached 80000. It is believed that an accurate unemployment rate would have been much higher, as statistics at this time did not consider Maori or women. Cuts in government expenditure and new regulations regarding relief schemes led to the widespread opinion that the government was not providing sufficient assistance to their citizens.
Those who were well-off also felt the impact of the economic downturn, but the sacrifices that they made were often less extreme than those of the working class. Many people held the perspective that the government's response to the Depression was making the "rich richer and the poor poorer". The Unemployed Workers Movement and the riots of 1932 created a sense of unity among people during their time of suffering. It sparked feelings of socialism , and the desire to overcome the social inequality that they were enduring.