Early Parliamentary Career
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1918–1919 | 19th | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1919–1922 | 20th | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1922–1925 | 21st | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1925–1928 | 22nd | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1928–1931 | 23rd | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1931–1935 | 24th | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1935–1938 | 25th | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1938–1943 | 26th | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1943–1946 | 27th | Wellington Central | Labour | |
| 1946–1949 | 28th | Brooklyn | Labour | |
| 1949–1951 | 29th | Brooklyn | Labour | |
During his early years in parliament, Fraser developed a clearer sense of his political beliefs. Although initially enthusiastic about the Russian October Revolution of 1917 and its Bolshevik leaders, he rejected them soon afterwards, and eventually became one of the strongest advocates of excluding communists from the Labour Party. His commitment to parliamentary politics rather than to direct action became firmer, and he had a moderating influence on many Labour Party policies.
Fraser's views clashed considerably with those of Harry Holland, still serving as leader, but the party gradually shifted its policies away from the more extreme left of the spectrum. In 1933, however, Holland died, leaving the leadership vacant. Fraser contested it, but eventually lost to Michael Joseph Savage, Holland's deputy. Fraser became the new deputy leader.
While Savage represented perhaps less moderate views than Fraser, he lacked the extreme ideology of Holland. With Labour now possessing a "softer" image and the existing conservative coalition struggling with the effects of the Great Depression, Savage's party succeeded in winning the 1935 elections and forming a government.
Read more about this topic: Peter Fraser (New Zealand Politician)
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