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STATESMEN are born, not made, according to an old saying. This was probably never less true than in nineteenth century New Zealand. Premier of New Zealand, had much Several men in this period rose from obscurity to become, by their in common. They were all born in own efforts, world famous statesEngland, but made their names in men and leaders. It was the age of the 'colonies'. the self-made man. Australia was the land of promise Three such men are seen on a set to which they all first journeyed, of stamps to be issued on February 7. and after that New Zealand. Each quickly made his way to the top of Featured are photographs of Sir George Grey, Sir Julius Vogel and the political tree. Yet with so much in common, Richard John Seddon, all notable New Zealand statesmen. the lives of Grey, Vogel and Seddon Designed by Allan Mitchell of still took quite different courses. Wellington the three stamps are Sir George Grey was the oldest of the three, when he took office as printed se-tenant, each bearing the denomination of 10c. Premier in 1877, but his association These men, who each became with New Zealand had started more
Alexander Turnbull Library photo.
than 30 years before. Grey was born in 1812. At the age of 33, he was appointed Governor of the fledgling colony of New Zealand. Grey proved the right man for his times. Maori chiefs, including Hone Heke and Te Rauparaha, had for some time been troubling the white, mainly British, settlers. 8y 1848 the young Governor Grey had establ ished stable 8ritish rule. The victorious Grey immediately set about bringing the benefits of European civilisation to the Maori. Roads, schools and hospitals started to appear among the tribes.
The very qualities which made Grey successful in time of war, probably unsuited him to peacetime politics. Stiff and autocratic, he demanded undisputed authority and prestige. When the British Pari iament passed the New Zealand Constitution Bill in 1852, Grey influenced its implementation in such a way as to retain considerable influence for the Governor. He was sent to South Africa in 1854 but continued to act wilfully, often disobeying his Government's orders. When Grey retu rned for a second term as New Zealand Governor in 1861, the Taranaki wars had started. The British Government obviously hoped that Grey's prestige with the Maoris would bring about a swift peace; alternatively, that he would defeat them quickly. Many of the Maori people now supported a movement unifying the tribes under a Maori King. An additional problem was that Grey now had to share government with the elected leaders of the colonists, and his ability to control policy was therefore greatly reduced. Despite his difficulties with both Maoris and the elected General Assembly, Grey considered himself indispensible. By 1886 this was no longer true, and he was replaced. Many thought it the end of an already remarkable career. Grey was down but not out. He re-entered politics in 1874 as a member of the House of Representatives. His parliamentary career was to span a further 20 years, including two (1877/79) as Premier. A confirmed Liberal by this stage, Grey pursued a radical programme in parliament, advocating such things as a full adult franchise and the subdivision of large estates. Many of his ideas had to wait many years to become law under other leaders. Grey retired from politics in 1894 and died in London in 1898. Though his final years were embittered by his own unco-operative spirit, Grey had shown great enterprise and courage in his life. But he was a leader, and never a 'team' man. Julius Vogel, like Grey, experienced many fluctuations in popu-
larity during his political career. Though effectively in control of the government for many of his years in parliament, he was Premier for just a short period _ from 1873 to 1876. Sir Julius Vogel, KCMG, was born in London in 1835. Travelling to New Zealand by way of Australia, he helped to found the 'Otago Daily Times' newspaper in 1861 and became well known for his political writing. In 1863 Vogel was covering an election meeting for his newspaper. When no candidates came forward he arranged his own nomination and was elected unopposed to pari iament. Such political opportunism became his trademark. Vogel was soon the leading light of the parliamentary opposition, foremost in purpose, ideas - and ruthlessness. Appointed Colonial Treasurer in Fox's government of 1869, Vogel found himself in a position to promote large andl imaginative development schemes. Several Premiers came and went in the ensuing years, while Vogel was leader in all but name. It was a difficult time for New Zealand. The country was going through a period of stagnation. Vogel's solution was a massive influx of borrowed money, to be spent on public works and on immigration. For this purpose, he raised vast loans overseas. Vogel had neither the administrative machinery, nor the patience, to work out his schemes in detail. By 1873 when he became Premier these borrowing policies were running out of control and Vogel's popularity was declining. It became apparent that while hll was an excellent policy-maker, Vogel needed a strong leader to keep him in check. Vogel remained in parliament until 1889. He travelled constantly, on government and private business, and by the time he died in 1899 was more a citizen of the world, than of any particular country. He had always seen his work in New Zealand as essentially that of colonisation, and his efforts were aimed at developing the colony to the utmost. He was a man of ex-
pansionist ideas, come at a time when such a man was needed. Richard John Sed don was probably the perfect foil for Vogel. A man of few original ideas himself, Seddon's strength lay in his ability to make other peoples ideas work. He succeeded in passing into law several schemes originally conceived by Vogel and Grey. Seddon, born in 1845,had travelled the familiar London-AustraliaNew Zealand route. Arriving here in 1866, he settled on the West Coast of the South Island. Even when he rose to national prominence he never cut his links with this area. Elected to parliament at his second attempt in 1879, he entered on the Liberal ticket, and under the patronage of Sir George Grey. Seddon soon showed an astonishing natural aptitude and amazing stamina in his work as a parliamentarian. When the Liberals formed a government under Ballance in 1891, Seddon took office as Minister of Public Works. With his huge capacity for work he was the right man for the parliamentary rough and tumble of the 90's. Seddon's attitude was that "it is better to wear out than rust". In 1893 Seddon was installed as Premier, with a united party and a good programme. In all, Seddon lead the Liberal Party to victory in five successive elections, becoming popularly known as 'King Dick'. Very much a man of the people, Seddon toured the country constantly whenever parliament wasn't meeting. For the last ten years of his life he also controlled the Treasury. The achievement for which Seddon is perhaps best remembered today, was his introduction of old age pensions in 1898. In 1900 he adopted the newly instituted title of Prime Minister. Seddon died in 1906 still in office and while returning from a trip to Australia. As he set out on the journey he would never finish, Seddon spoke the words that were to become part of the folklore of his adopted land. "I am returning tonight," he said, "to God's own country."
ARTISTS in Tokelau can be counted 'not just on one hand, but on one finger! Faraimo Paulo, stamp designer, looks perplexed when you ask him whether there are many artists where he comes from. "Just me," he says quietly. Soft spoken, and still unsure of his English, Faraimo has been in New Zealand about a year, studying art at the Hawkes Bay Community College. His time here has been productive. About fifty of his paintings featured in an exhibition at Napier in August. But it is as a stamp designer that Faraimo is best known. He has been responsible for designing three Tokelau stamp issues, the latest of which will be released on November 8. A native of Atafu, the northernmost of the three atolls that com¡ prlse Tokelau, Faraimo finds ample subject matter for his art in the people and scenes of his island home. His work uses mostly '-okelauan themes. Faraimo designed his first stamp issue - the Tokelau Definitive series, 1976 - in Tokelau where he was born 23 years ago. Last year came the Tokelau Bird issue. . One of Tokelau's most popular spo'rting events inspired the latest is;ue. The four stamps show different aspects of canoe racing. Canoes are shown both paddled and under sail in the four denominations, 8c, 12c, 15c and 30c. Each measuring 38.5 mm x 29.58 mm, the stamps were printed by photogravure, by Heraclio Fournier of Spain. Canoe racing has a special place in the communal village life of Tokelau. Whole days are set aside about three times a year, on which the people of the atolls hold the competions. Everyone can take part. Teams are selected often by dividing islands into sections, which compete agai nst one another. In the day-to-day Iife of Tokelau, canoes are used for fishing and the fishermen hold an important place in society. Young men must earn their place in the fishing canoes.
Canoe racing provides a great opportunity for them to prove their skill and strength. Besides prestige, the race winners also receive prizes. Different courses are laid out for the races, some around the lagoon and others between islands. In the bigger canoes 10 people can paddle seated in pairs. Smaller crews also race. Canoes are usually made from
the kanava tree. They have outriggers on the left hand side, but may be paddled on both sides as well as sailed. Carving is mainly for decoration, but is also useful for tying on ropes. Faraimo is looking forward to his return to Tokelau and the island life he loves. He has enjoyed his time in New Zealand, but says with a grin, "there are too many distractions here ".
SI NCE 1929 the New Zealand Post Stanley Davis, who was on the Office has used one of its annual advertising staff of the 'New Zealand stamp issues to help maintain Railways. He worked from the . Children's Health Camps and this photograph of a nurse who had .Just year sees the 50th such issue. qualified in the state final exammaThe success of this gesture can be tlon. Scarlet m colour, It was drawn gauged by the fact that during this in realistic style and with a simple ~Io time more than $2,000,000 has gone gan, "Help stamp out TuberculosIs". to the camps from the surcharge for The inscriptions "Postage 1d", . health on each stamp. "Charity 1d", were also added. :YPI' o .. 11 bl" h d' 1919' cal of the formal, decorative deSIgn ngma y esta IS e m m style of the period is the use of serif' the countrYHare,ahoeafT urakma, near lettering and the border around the Wanganul ea t mps were . . . . d d 'd h I"d h Ith illustration. This stamp IS repro uce . d' on one of the 1978 Health stamps. deslgne to prOVI e 0 I ay. ea care for children with nutritional The success of the stamps, and and mmor physical. problems. Later also the camps, was assured when they gave brief holiday relief for this first issue raised nearly $5,000 children dUring the depr~sslon ye~rs. for the Health Camp Fund. The SIX camps now m eXIstence .still The decorative, fussy design styles provide for children suffering With of the time reached a climax in the minor physical problems, but also smiling portaits of the 1931 issue of help children suffering from SOCial the two 'smiling boy' stamps, with and emotional stress: their cluttered background of ponga The Idea of a ChrIStmas seal on fern, mountains and lakes. The design letters originated in Scandmavla and was the work of Mr L. C. Mitchell. Because of the world-wide depreswas suggested as a source of funds sion at the time, few of these stamps for Health Camps by Mrs Kirstine Neilsen of Norsewood. H~r local were sold, and they are today highly member of parliament, Sir George prized by collectors. Hunter, took up the suggestion and From 1931 sales were further ensubmitted it to the then Postmaster- couraged by the use of special canGeneral. cellation slogans. After consideration, the Post Symbol ic themes were introduced Office rejected the idea of seals, but with the dramatic portrayal of recommended the issue of a stamp Hygeia, goddess of health, in 1932. havmg a charity value as well as that This was followed with the romantic of postage. Such stamps were already interpretation of "The Pathway to in use in a number of c?untrlesand Health" leading past a native cabbage had been approved for International tree and across fertile pastures into a blazing sun. The 1932 design was use at the Postal Convention m Stockholm in 1924. prepared by Messrs. W. J. Cooch and The Post Office fav.oured a sugR. E. Tripe working in collaboration. The 1933 "Pathway to Health" gestion that money raised should be used to support the School Medica' stamp was the work of Mr J. Berry, Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Gunn,. With a O.B.E. Health Camp project. The Director Mr Berry also designed the 1934 of School Hygiene, Dr. Ada Paterson, stamp which featured St. George, gave the idea her full support and mounted on his trusty steed, leading travelled throughout New Zealand the crusade for health. enl isting support for the formation The design for the 1935 stamp of local Health Camp Associations, was the work of Mr S. Hall of the which later evolved into a National Postal Division of the General Post Federation of Health Camps. Office, Well ington. It symbol ised the Dr. Paterson recognised early the "Key to Health". With its realistic possibilities of a Health stamp issue line drawing and decorative border it and strove to see the establishment is similar in style to the earlier stamps, of a tradition that has served New but the border this time is in the shape Zealand children since 1929. of a key hole. Centred in the key hole The design for the first Health is the figure of a child with a bucket of sand. stamp in 1929 was produced by
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It was in 1935 that an intensive ther in girl guide uniform. This time campaign to boost sales for the fund the decorative motif made use of the inspired the first Health Stamp First native kowhai flower. Because of Day Cover. Designed by Mr S. Hall, technical difficulties the 1944 stamp it was an immediate success and de- reverted to the rectangular shape and mand has increased annually with ,the triangle has never been repeated. the continued production of the The young Queen Elizabeth, with covers. her first baby, Prince Charles, The First Day Cover design, a featured on the 1950 health stamp picture of a child on a beach, was in an informal mother-and-child printed in a deep chocolate colour. pose. But perhaps the most informal The inscription "Official Cover" ap- royal health stamp was the 1963 peared above the picture and "Health stamp featuring Prince Andrew with Stamp 1935" below. More than a book. The 1973 portrait of Prince 50 000 of these covers were sold. The Edward reverted to the formality of slogan "Who said Health Camps" former years. also appeared on the. envelope. From a design point of view the The theme of actiVity, Introduced . . . . d' . senSitive and delicately Simple presen. 1935 h b In . ' as een repeate. In Issues tation of New Zealand birds in a featUring mountain climbing, ball popular thematic series from 1959games, girl gUides and scouts, and general scenes of children at play. 1962 and 1964-1.966 was one of the Many of these stamps were the work highlights of earlier Health stamp of Mr L. C. Mitchell who was involved produ.ctlon.. . . . " Originally Issued Just before ,n eight of the first 50 Issues. James Christmas, Health stamps are now Berry, O.B.E. was Involved In 15 of released in August so that they don't them. , clash with the newer tradition of The permanency of New Zealand s Ch ristmas stamps. Health Camps was assured when . . The 50th Issue of Health stamps Buckingham Palace accepted the suggestion that they would make a In New Zealand will be marked by fittin~ memorial to the late King the release of two new stamps on George V. Although the camps are August 2. Allan Mitchell of Wellingno longer called the King George V ton designed the issue. Health Camps, the public response at A stamp-on¡stamp treatment of the time not only showed the the original 1929 design commemorcountry's respect for the late King, ates the anniversary of Health but also the popular acceptance of stamps, (lOc + 2c). and confidence in the camps. The second stamp, (12c + 2c) recognises the work of the National . _ . Heart Foundation, and features a The royal. "n~ With the camps has been maintained over th.e years colourfully depicted heart operation With the use of royal portraits In together with the Foundation's the deSign of many health stamps. emblem. The first of these, in 1943, Both stamps have gold coloures;l featured the two Princesses. Princess Elizabeth appeared on the borci~rs. 2d + Id stamp and Princess Margaret . Since the first Health stamps apon the Id + Y.d. An interesting pea red almost 50 years ago designs have undergone huge changes, perfeature of these stamps was their triangular shape. haps indicative of changes in society The words, "Postage" and "Health" itself. Characteristic of the modern appear~d on the top two sides of the era of New Zealand stamps is a new triangle, with "New Zealand" and freedom of approach and a trend tothe denomination along the base. wards more stylised design and the English oak and native manuka com- use of brighter colours. pleted the border design. The royal Health stamps and First Day portraits were formal and direct. Covers continue to contribute toFirst day sales of $30,000 suggested wards providing healthy breaks away a repetition of the theme in 1944 from home for children who might when the princesses appeared togeotherwise never have the experience.
Three Views of Christmas "I SEE PICTURES as no painter has yet painted, whose models one finds nowhere in nature, and yet they are nature itself, and life itself, and the most perfect beauty imaginable." In these words Saint Teresa expressed her vision of art expressing the sublime. Few artists in history could claim such an achievement. El Greco, the sixteenth century master, is one who might. El Greco was first and foremost a great religious painter. The saints of his paintings are real people but also convey a more than human quality. Masterworks such as "The Holy Family", which is to be seen on the 7c Christmas stamp this year, are an attempt to express divinity in man. El Greco's early life is for the most part shrouded in mystery, but it is thought that he was born about 1541 in Candia, Crete. Christened Domenikos Theotokopoulos, he travelled as a young man to Italy where he became a pupil of Titian. Further travel brought Domenikos to Spain where he adopted the name, El Greco (The Greek) and made his home in Toledo, an exotic city built above the River Tagus. Toledo was then at the height of it's prosperity, the intellectual and spiritual capital of Spain. El Greco became famous doing commission work for churches. "The Holy Family" was probably painted by El Greco late in life. Several versions of this painting exist. The painting used on the stamp now hangs in the Samuel H. Kress Collection in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. St. Anne, St. Joseph and a young John the Baptist are seen in the painting along with Mary and the Christ¡child. The Madonna is painted by El Greco with typically Spanish features, and is probably modelled on his wife.
It is easy to understand the popularity of El Greco in such a religious age. His work was unique however, and after his death in 1614 El Greco's reputation fell into decline. Forgotten for centuries, only in recent times has El Greco's art come into its own. Expressionists and Impressionists claim him as a forerunner. He depicted a spiritual realm and in filling his universe with divine and supernatural presences, gave concrete expression to ideas and emotions. The second stamp of the Christmas issue (16c) continues the relig-
ious theme. It features All Saints' Church in Howick, a seaside district near Auckland. An excellent book, "Selwyn Churches of Auckland", by C. R. Knight, describes the history of several churches including All Saints'. Erected in 1847, All Saints' is the earl iest of a group of parish churches built under the auspices of Bishop Selwyn. The pioneering Bishop selected the site himself and determined that the church should be ready in time for the arrival of the first group of settlers in the area. Local timbers, kauri and totara, were selected for the church. The whole building was prefabricated at St. John's seminary in Auckland, then transported to Howick by ship. An overland party then carried all the materials up a hill to the site. The church design, attributed to architect, Frederick Thatcher, is of traditional Latin cross shape and on a very small scale. The size soon proved inadequate and a second aisle was added in 1862. The church is considered outstanding for its maturity of design at a time when many indifferent buildings were hastily erected. It still serves the district, set now in a lovely grove of mature English trees which were planted in 1857. A pohutukawa, 'the New Zealand Christmas tree' is in the foreground of the third stamp, a beach scene (23c). The long sweeping beach with its hol id ay makers typifies the Christmas scene for most New Zealanders. Mr R. M. Conly of Christchurch designed the 16c stamp and completed the graphic work on all three. Printed by Courvoisier S.A. Switzerland by photogravure, the stamps each measure 25.7 mm x 41.1 mm.
STAMP DEALERS TO THE WORLD
Ledger cards contain records of money deposited against future orders.
THE PHILATELIC BUREAU, one of the Post Office's fastest growing sections, is situated in the pleasant river city of Wanganui. "Our main function is to handle mail order distribution of stamps to collectors and dealers throughout the world," explains Snow Murray, Bureau manager. "The Post Office puts out six stamp issues annually and it takes us two months to process each issue. "We have in excess of 70 000 people on our mailing list - half here and half overseas ". Order forms are sent to everyone on the mailing list. These forms are completed by the clients and returned to the Philatelic Bureau where orders are filled. Snow says that his staff develop a personal relationship with correspondents, and some very good friendships - y m il - have resulted over the years. Snow himself has been at the Bureau since 1974 and finds it a "great job ", "We're never bored here'" he says. "Business is growing all the time and we estimate an annual 12 per cent increase in sales." The Bureau also puts out very popular unaddressed First Day Covers, with 80 000 to 120 000 each issue, depending on the¡ popularity of the issue. "Health stamp First Day Covers, for example, are always in demand." Snow finds New Zealand stamps particularly popular with overseas collectors, although the Japanese,
Snow Murray, Bureau Manager.
for some reason, tend not to want our scenic stamps. "They're more thematic collectors and very keen on trains, ships and flower stamps." The average collector, Snow says, will take one or two countries and collect every stamp they issue, so there is always a keen demand for New Zealand stamps. Looking back on New Zealand stamps over the last few years. Snow bel ieves that those most sought after include the fire fighting appliances; the Queen's Silver Anniversary miniature sheet; the vintage car issue and the rose definitives. "One of the most popular stamps we ever issued was the Rose Conven¡ tion set in the early '70's," Snow remembers. "There was a fantastic demand for that." As well as making and supplying all First Day covers throughout New Zealand, the Bureau handles Tokelau, Government Life, Ross Dependency, United Nations, and Western Samoan stamps.
The remittance room where staff sort' mail orders.
Sorting the standing order cards.
Making up a stamp consignment for a
teller.
1979
Stamp Programme February 7
N.Z. (a) (b) (c)
Statesmen issue Sir George Grey; Sir Julius Vogel; Richard John Seddon.
April 4
Special Topic issue (4 stamps) Architecture in New Zealand.
June 6
Special Topic issue (4 stamps) Small Harbours.
August 1
Health issue (3 stamps) Marine Laboratory, Leigh.
August 1
International Year of the Child issue (1 stamp)
October 3
Christmas issue
November 26 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference issue (a) Pari iamentary symbols; (b) Beehive banqueting hall; (c) Chamber of the House of Representatives.
Ideal GiftPacks COLLECTORS PACKS for 1978 will be on sale from October 4. They contain all the special and commemorative stamps issued since the releasr: of the 1977 pack. The pack's cover depicts a Royal Mail stage coach, and incorporates motifs of some of the stamps inside. Priced at (NZ) $4.25 complete with envelope and gift card, the packs make an ideal Christmas present. An order form for the collector packs is included in the Christmas stamp leaflet dispatched with this Bulletin. THE 1978 FIRST DAY COVI:R PACK is also available. It contains all special and commemorative stamped unaddressed first day . covers issued from November 1977 to October 1978, and costs $4.81.
PI ate/impnnt
Because~~~~~time
November 26 Definitives (2 stamps) Sea shells.
Post Offices Opened and Closed OPENED Al,LckJand International Airport-
Auckland
16.12.77
Marina
Auckland
19.12.77
CLOSED Kennington
Invercargill
30.12.77
Beaumont
Dunedin
4.1.78
Buckland
Auckland
10.1.78
Dog Island
Invercargill
11.1.78
Whenuapai Village
Auckland
12.1.78
Gowanbridge
Nelson
16.1.78
Renown
Hamilton
10.3.78
Glenavy
Timaru
27.4.78
Torere
Rotorua
5.5.78
delay between preparation and publication of the Philatelic Bulletin, increasing difficulties are being experienced in ensuring that the list of plate/imprint blocks available is up-to-date. For this reason it has been decided. after consultation with the Federation of New Zealand Philatelic Societies, that these lists will no longer be published in the Bulletin. Inquiries as to plate/imprint blocks available should be made by writing to The Manager, Philatelic Bureau, Private Bag, Wanganui. THE PHILATELIC BULLETIN is published in April and October each year by the New Zealand Post Office Philatelic Bureau and distributed free by post. Articles may be extracted for reprinting without further permission. Acknowledgment to the New Zealand Philatelic Bulletin would be appreciated.