Alfred Saunders

Alfred Saunders (12 June 1820 – 28 October 1905) was a New Zealand farmer, reformer, women's suffrage and temperance advocate and politician. He was Superintendent of Nelson Province and represented several electorate in the House of Representatives.

Early life and family Saunders was born in 1820 in Market Lavington, the youngest son of Mary and Amram Saunders. He was educated in Market Lavington and at a Bristol academy. Samuel Saunders (1814–1908) was an older brother and William Saunders (1823–1895) was a younger brother.

He married Rhoda Flower in 1847. Rhoda died in 1898.

He was remarried in England in 1899 to Sarah Box.

From 1889 to 1890 he represented the Lincoln electorate and from 1890 to 1896 he represented Selwyn, being defeated at the general election of 1896 for the latter constituency. He supported the Temperance Union petition in favour of woman's suffrage to Parliament in 1891. He was involved, as an MP, in the political machinations to get legislation passed to give voting rights to New Zealand women, including during the final stages of the legislation in 1893. He also corresponded with the leader of the suffrage movement, Kate Sheppard, to keep her up-to-date with the fast-changing political situation in parliament as the legislation was being debated.

Authorship Alfred Saunders was an author and his published titles include; "History of New Zealand" a comprehensive two volume publication (550 pages.) 1896–99. Contains much on early NZ Governments. Available on line. "The Perfect Draft Horse" 1886 "Tales of a Pioneer" published by his daughters, 1927. Also available on line "Our Domestic Birds" 1883 "Our Horses" 1885.