Bill Parry

William Edward Parry (1878 – 27 November 1952) was a New Zealand politician and trade unionist.

Biography Early life and career Parry was born at Orange, New South Wales, Australia. He had 12 siblings and the family faced hardship. His father, John Parry, was a goldminer and prospector, and at age 12, Bill Parry left school and went mining himself in Barmedman. A strong, energetic and large sized man, Parry was a noted cyclist in his youth and also became a skilled shooter and angler. He first came to New Zealand in 1902 and lived in Auckland for a short time and went mining in Karangahake. After two years, Parry returned to Australia. On 15 April 1906, he married Georgina Fowke at Wyalong in New South Wales. Later that year, they and some family members arrived in New Zealand.

Parry was a miner at Waihi and Secretary of the Waihi Miners' Union and president of the Waihi Amalgamated Miners' and Workers' Union from 1909 to 1912. He became a miners' inspector and was appointed to the 1911 Royal Commission on Mines. Initially Parry was apprehensive to go on strike at Waihi, however he found himself compelled into taking a more militant position by members of his union that were supportive of the Industrial Workers of the World. Also, in 1911 Parry conducted a tour of the country forming anti-militarist leagues throughout New Zealand. Parry was one of the founders of the New Zealand Federation of Labour (FOL) and was vice president from 1911 to 1913. The minor ministerial role was converted to a full role when in June 1946, Parry became Minister of Social Security. Parry lost his ministerial roles when Labour was defeated in the .

Parry was not regarded as an outstanding politician or policy creator, but more of an administrator. He did not contribute to Labour's policy development in a major way but was nevertheless Michael Joseph Savage's automatic choice as minister due to their strong friendship and long-standing activism. He was not an ideologue and held beliefs in active and responsible citizenship. He had a broad view of politics and saw socialism as a means of fulfilling the practical needs of the people.

Later life and death Parry died on 27 November 1952 in Auckland. He was survived by his wife and their two daughters.