1882–1883 Whitaker Ministry
The Whitaker Ministry was formed in 1882 as the government of
Background
John Hall resigned as Premier due to health issues and a Cabinet conflict with Native Minister John Bryce, which led Governor Gordon to attempt to call Sir George Grey to form a Ministry. Hall reminded the Governor that his following held a majority in the House of Representatives and nominated Frederick Whitaker to replace him.[3] Whitaker had been the Hall Government's representative in the Legislative Council, renowned as “a Triton among minnows” in that house.[4] Harry Atkinson represented Whitaker in the lower house.
The Ministry succeeded Hall's retrenching government, but as a Budget surplus had been achieved, they felt able to reduce the property tax by half and raise a 3 million pound loan for Public Works.[5] Atkinson introduced a bill to establish a contributory social security scheme in 1882, but this was well ahead of contemporary opinion, and his second attempt in 1883 was greeted with “ribald laughter”.[6] Similarly, William Rolleston’s attempt to create a perpetual Crown lease option for land ownership was amended beyond recognition by the Legislative Council.[7]
On 15 September 1882 the ministry passed the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act,[8] to expedite construction of the North Island Main Trunk south of Te Awamutu by authorising the overseas borrowing of a million pounds for the work.
Whitaker had only intended to serve for a single session of Parliament, and having found the Premiership tiresome, he returned to his legal practice.[9] He was succeeded by his close colleague Harry Atkinson.
Ministers
The following members served in the Whitaker Ministry:[1]
| Name | Portrait | Office | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick Whitaker, MLC |  |
Premier | 21 April 1882 - 25 September 1883 |
| Attorney-General | 8 October 1879 - 25 September 1883 | ||
| Harry Atkinson |  |
Colonial Treasurer | 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 |
| Commissioner of Stamp Duties | 29 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Commissioner of Customs | 21 April 1882 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| William Rolleston |  |
Minister of Lands and Immigration | 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 |
| Minister of Mines | 15 December 1880 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| John Bryce |  |
Minister of Native Affairs | 19 October 1881 - 16 August 1884 |
| Thomas Dick |  |
Colonial Secretary
|
5 March 1880 - 16 August 1884 |
| Minister of Education | 15 December 1880 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Minister of Justice | 23 April 1881 - 11 October 1882 | ||
| Postmaster-General | 11 October 1882 - 25 September 1883 | ||
| Electric Telegraph Commissioner | 11 October 1882 - 25 September 1883 | ||
| Walter Woods Johnston | Postmaster-General | 9 March 1881 - 11 October 1882 | |
| Commissioner of Telegraphs | 9 March 1881 - 11 October 1882 | ||
| Minister for Public Works | 21 April 1882 - 23 November 1883 | ||
| Richard Oliver, MLC |  |
Member of Executive Council | 18 May 1882 - 25 September 1883 |
| Edward Conolly |  |
Minister of Justice | 11 October 1882 - 16 August 1884 |
References
- ^ OCLC 154283103.
- ^ "Obituary". Otago Witness. No. 2398. 15 February 1900. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 188–9.
- ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Whitaker, Frederick". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 108.
- ^ Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 121.
- ^ Stewart, William Downie (1940). William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. pp. 142–6.
- ^ "North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act, 1882". New Zealand Law online. 1882.
- ^ Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 122.
See also
| Executives without power |
|
|---|---|
| Responsible government |
|
| Governments along party lines |
|
