1883–1884 Atkinson Ministry

The Third Atkinson Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, sometimes referred to as part of the Continuous Ministry.[1] It took office after the retirement of Frederick Whitaker and continued the personnel and policies of the Whitaker and Hall ministries.[2]

Background

Harry Atkinson, who had been Treasurer in the previous two Ministries of John Hall and Frederick Whitaker, retained the entire outgoing Cabinet with the exception of the retiring Whitaker. Walter Woods Johnston later left the Ministry to return to his own private business and was replaced with Edwin Mitchelson.[3]

This third Atkinson Ministry lacked popular support due to its perceived parsimony and the limited number of Public Works projects it undertook. In June 1884 the government lost a no-confidence motion, but neither of the Opposition leaders, William Montgomery and Sir George Grey, was able to put together a majority government in its place.[4] Before calling an election, Atkinson announced a policy of ‘closer settlement’ of land, Crown pre-emption in purchases of Māori land, and encouragement of local industry through moderately protectionist tariffs.[5]

At the 1884 general election, Sir Julius Vogel returned to New Zealand politics and led a party of followers into the House. As the factional arithmetic was unclear, Atkinson's ministry remained in power until the House met and Vogel was able to put together a coalition with Robert Stout.[6]

Ministers

The following members served in the Hall Ministry:[7]

Name Portrait Office Term
Harry Atkinson
Premier 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884
Colonial Treasurer 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884
Commissioner of Stamp Duties 29 October 1879 - 16 August 1884
Commissioner of Trade and Customs 21 April 1882 - 16 August 1884
William Rolleston
Minister of Lands 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884
Minister of Immigration 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884
Minister of Mines 15 December 1880 - 16 August 1884
John Bryce
Minister for 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
Walter Woods Johnston Minister for Public Works 21 April 1882 - 23 November 1883
Member of Executive Council 25 September 1883 - 4 June 1884
Edward Conolly
Minister of Justice 11 October 1882 - 16 August 1884
Attorney-General 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884
Richard Oliver, MLC
Postmaster-General 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884
Electric Telegraph Commissioner 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884
Edwin Mitchelson
Minister for Public Works 23 November 1883 - 16 August 1884

See also

Notes
  1. Wilson, J. O. (James Oakley) (1985). New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. p. 69.
  2. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 122.
  3. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Johnston, Walter Woods". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  4. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. p. 253.
  5. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 124.
  6. Dunn, Waldo Hilary; Richardson, Ivor L. M. (1961). Sir Robert Stout: A Biography. Reed. p. 96.
  7. Wilson, J. O. (1985). Parliamentary Record of New Zealand (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. p. 69.

References
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
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