New Zealand Democrat Party

The New Zealand Democrat Party was a political party in New Zealand, founded in 1934 with the purpose of opposing socialist legislation by the government. Formation The Democrat Party was founded and developed by Albert Davy, a prominent political organiser of the time. He had worked first for the Reform Party, then for the United Party, and finally for the Reform Party again. Davy was highly effective in both campaign management and fundraising but often came into conflict with those for whom he worked. Politically, Davy was an advocate of reducing the size of government and of minimising government intervention in the business world. The slogan "More Business in Government, Less Government in Business", which was once used by the Reform Party, was thought up by Davy. When the United Party and the Reform Party formed a coalition, Davy initially supported it but later resigned in protest at the legislation the coalition enacted to counter the Great Depression. Davy denounced the coalition as "socialistic by inclination, action and fact". In 1934, Davy was approached by William Goodfellow, a wealthy Auckland businessman and industrialist. Goodfellow strongly opposed the economic policies of the United-Reform Coalition, and was also concerned by the rise of the Labour Party. Goodfellow hoped that a small but committed party could hold the balance of power in Parliament and force the government to adopt more business-friendly policies. It was hoped by Goodfellow and his allies that Davy's talents could create an effective organisation.