1882–1883 Whitaker Ministry

The Whitaker Ministry was formed in 1882 as the government of New Zealand. It was led by Frederick Whitaker and lasted for 17 months, from 21 April 1882 to 25 September 1883.[1] The Whitaker Ministry succeeded the Hall Ministry upon John Hall's resignation.[2]

The Whitaker Ministry in July 1882 (Connolly not appointed yet)

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
  1. Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. pp. 68–69. OCLC 154283103.
  2. "Obituary". Otago Witness. No. 2398. 15 February 1900. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  3. Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 188–9.
  4. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Whitaker, Frederick". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  5. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 108.
  6. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 121.
  7. Stewart, William Downie (1940). William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. pp. 142–6.
  8. "North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act, 1882". New Zealand Law online. 1882.
  9. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 122.

See also
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