Story: Self-government and independence

Following the 1890 election, the governor, Lord Onslow, made a number of conservative appointments to the Legislative Council (Parliament's upper house), but then refused Liberal Premier John Ballance’s request for counter-appointments. This electoral petition supported the governor's stand. Petitioners feared that ‘special class legislation’ (designed to improve workers’ lives) would be enacted by the Liberals. They hoped that a conservative majority on the council would prevent such measures passing into law. Onslow’s successor, Lord Glasgow, was instructed to follow ministerial advice and grant Ballance’s request.