Although there were no organised political parties in New Zealand until the 1890s, many candidates - like John Wallace in this 1853 poster - were keen to identify themselves as 'Liberals', 'Progressives' or 'Radicals'. In this way they could imply that their opponents were 'Conservatives', an unpopular label in the democratic world of colonial politics.

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Reference: Eph-D-POLITICS-1850s-01

Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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