Archibald Willis

Willis was born in London in 1842. He spent his youth in an apprenticeship in the printer's trade. After the death of his mother, his father was also deceased, Willis sailed from England aboard the ship Dinapore and landed in Auckland in 1857.[2] He immediately sought employment as a printer, working across in many parts of New Zealand as a journeyman, till he opened his own printing business, remaining in the business almost continuously until his death. Willis was the founder of the Hawke's Bay Herald in Hastings, but left the paper to partake in the gold rush in Otago.[2] After six months of mining Willis returned to the print business and came to Wanganui in 1864, where he was to spend the rest of his life.

He intended to establish his own newspaper there, but upon arrival, he was called to serve in the militia to fight against Maori in the area. Afterwards, Willis entered into partnership with John Ballance as co-proprietors of the Wanganui Herald and the two formed a close friendship.[1] Later, Willis also purchased a local book and stationary business from William Hutchison. He was also a prominent member of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce.[2]

Willis was active in local politics in Wanganui. He spent six years a Borough Councillor and also served a member of the Harbour Board, including time as its chairman.[2]

The death of Willis' friend and business partner, John Ballance, triggered the 1893 by-election in the Wanganui electorate, which was held on 13 June and won by Willis.[3] He received support from the constituents to keep the "Ballance tradition" alive.[4] He was confirmed at the 1893 general election a few months later. He was defeated in 1896 by the Conservative candidate Gilbert Carson, who was proprietor of the Herald's rival newspaper the Wanganui Chronicle. Willis won the seat back for the Liberals in 1899, and was defeated again in 1905.[5]

Willis was a supporter of the Liberal government's welfare programs under Richard Seddon. Personally, he advocated for loaning government money for state housing.[6] Despite having similar ideologies, Willis was famous for his turbulent relationship with Seddon, the two men disliked each other which caused many arguments between the two.[7]

In 1901, Willis attempted to address the complaints by labourers that the Industrial Conciliation & Arbitration Act was too slow by proposing the conciliation phase be removed. In what was to become known as the "Willis Blot", a clause was proposed to bypass industrial disputes straight to the Arbitration Court with the idea of hastening the process.[8]

Willis died in Gisborne on 27 August 1908 from a throat infection. He was survived by his wife, six sons and four daughters.[2]

• Hamer, David A. (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891–1912. Christchurch: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-014-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• McIvor, Timothy (1989). The Rainmaker: A biography of John Ballance journalist and politician 1839–1893. Auckland: Heinemann Reed. ISBN 0-7900-0024-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)