1864–1865 Weld ministry

Former government of New Zealand October 2022 The Weld ministry was the seventh responsible government to be formed in New Zealand, and lasted a less than a year during the New Zealand Wars. It formed in November 1864 and lasted until October 1865. As the office of premier had yet to be formally established, Frederick Weld was never gazetted premier but did resign the position at the end of his tenure.Wilson 1985 62 Background In September 1864, the Fox–Whitaker government collapsed amid Governor Grey's rejection of their hard-line land confiscation policy towards Māori, and the British Parliament's rejection of the full sum of their proposed £3 million loan. The British also desired to remove the last of the Imperial regiments unless the New Zealand Government paid them £40 annually per soldier. This raised the opposition of South Island interests, who had a much lower Māori population and resented having to pay for wars in the North Island. In October, therefore, Frederick Weld announced an alternative policy of "self-reliance", accepting the removal of the regiments and the management of defence policy by the colonial government.Graham Jeanine Frederick Weld Oxford University Press 1983 82 He took office on the first day of the new session of the General Assembly. However, the policy was never fully implemented as fresh outbreaks of violence in Taranaki and the East Cape delayed the departure of General Cameron. Cameron followed his own strategy, while Governor Grey gave orders to the colonial militia without ministerial advice.Graham Jeanine Frederick Weld Oxford University Press 1983 97 Land confiscations and road-making through Māori districts continued under the Weld ministry, while the financial situation forced them to increase customs duties and accept a higher rate of interest on an overseas loan.Trotter Olive John Larkins Cheese Richardson: 'the gentlest, bravest and most just of men' Otago University Press 2010 95 During this ministry, the capital was moved to Wellington and a steamer service to Panama was established.Weld, Sir Frederick Aloysius https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/weld-sir-frederick-aloysius Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand However, the Government’s financial position became more precarious than ever. A provincialist motion of no confidence (to give half the revenue of the new stamp duty to the provincial governments) was moved by Julius Vogel and only defeated on the Speaker's casting vote.Trotter Olive John Larkins Cheese Richardson: 'the gentlest, bravest and most just of men' Otago University Press 2010 100 Weld resigned anyway, and Edward Stafford was recalled to lead a new ministry. Ministers The following members served in the Weld ministry:Wilson 1985 61 NamePortraitOfficeTerm Frederick Weld center|75px Premier 24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865 Colonial Secretary 24 November 1864 – 26 June 1865 Henry Sewell, MLC center|75px Attorney-General 24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865 William Fitzherbert center|75px Colonial Treasurer 24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865 Commissioner of Customs 24 November 1864 – 3 April 1865 John Richardson center|75px Postmaster-General 24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865 Commissioner of Customs 3 April 1865 – 16 October 1865 Harry Atkinson center|75px Minister for Colonial Defence 24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865 Walter Mantell center|75px Minister for Native Affairs 16 December 1864 – 27 July 1865 Native Secretary 3 April 1865 – 27 July 1865 James Crowe Richmond, MLC center|75px Colonial Secretary 26 June 1865 – 16 October 1865 James FitzGerald center|75px Minister for Native Affairs 12 August 1865 – 16 October 1865 See also New Zealand Government Notes References Wilson Jim Jim Wilson (librarian) New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 4th First published in 1913 1985 V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer Wellington 154283103 Category:Ministries of Queen Victoria Category:Governments of New Zealand Category:1860s in New Zealand Category:1864 establishments in New Zealand Category:Cabinets disestablished in 1865 Category:1865 disestablishments in New Zealand