1861–1862 Fox ministry

Former government of New Zealand October 2022 The Second Fox Ministry was a responsible government which held power in New Zealand from July 1861 to August 1862. Although William Fox was the head of the government, he was never appointed Premier as that office had yet to be established. Instead, he was Attorney-General and then Colonial Secretary.Wilson 1985 61 Background The Second Fox Ministry took power after winning a motion of no confidence against Edward Stafford by two votes amid rising tensions with the Kingitanga movement.McLintock Alexander Hare William Parker Morrell M. A. (N Z. ) Taonga New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu FOX, Sir William https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/fox-sir-william 2022-11-04 An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966. en The new government survived another no-confidence motion a month later, surviving by reconstructing the Cabinet with the absence of Isaac Featherston and John Williamson – it had been argued by the Opposition that they were ineligible for office in the central government as they were both Provincial Superintendents.Bohan Edmund Edward Stafford: New Zealand's First Statesman Hazard Press 1994 166 Even without the Superintendents, Fox's ministry was highly provincialist in policy, amending the New Provinces Act to prevent existing provinces from splintering into non-viable local entities. The major crisis of New Zealand politics in the 1860s was the Māori question, with Fox leading the 'Peace Party' which was purported to prefer a non-violent resolution to the dispute with the Waikato iwi.Taonga New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Sewell, Henry https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1s8/sewell-henry 2022-11-04 teara.govt.nz en This would involve incorporating Māori into Pākeha-style constitutional institutions such as local councils or Rūnanga. Previously, Māori policy had been reserved to the Governor, but now Governor Grey convinced the ministry to take on responsibility for this aspect of national politics.Bohan Edmund Edward Stafford: New Zealand's First Statesman Hazard Press 1994 173 To Fox's surprise, the British government responded by giving notice that the New Zealand colonial government would have to fund their own military defences against Māori, while the Imperial troops would be withdrawn. This ultimatum had the impact of weakening the authority of the Fox Ministry, and Stafford was able to defeat the government in a no-confidence vote a year after Fox had taken office, although only by means of the Speaker's casting vote. Stafford declined to form a new government and Grey appointed Alfred Domett instead.Bohan Edmund Edward Stafford: New Zealand's First Statesman Hazard Press 1994 175–6 Ministers The following members served in the Fox Ministry:Wilson 1985 61 NamePortraitOfficeTerm William Fox center|75px Attorney-General 12 July 1861 – 2 August 1861 Colonial Secretary 2 August 1861 – 6 August 1862 Isaac Featherston center|75px Colonial Secretary 12 July 1861 – 2 August 1861 Reader Wood center|75px Colonial Treasurer 12 July 1861 – 6 August 1862 Commissioner of Customs 12 July 1861 – 6 August 1862 Walter Mantell center|75px Minister of Native Affairs 12 July 1861 – 18 December 1861 John Williamson center|75px Member of Executive Council 12 July 1861 – 2 August 1861 Thomas Henderson center|75px Member of Executive Council 12 July 1861 – 6 August 1862 Daniel Pollen, MLC center|75px Member of Executive Council 20 July 1861 – 6 August 1862 Henry Sewell, MLC center|75px Attorney-General 2 August 1861 – 6 August 1862 Crosbie Ward center|75px Postmaster-General 2 August 1861 – 6 August 1862 Secretary for Crown Lands 2 August 1861 – 6 August 1862 Lt.-Gen. Duncan Cameron center|75px Member of Executive Council 22 April 1861 – 6 August 1862 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:1861 establishments in New Zealand Category:Cabinets established in 1861 Category:Cabinets disestablished in 1862 Category:1862 disestablishments in New Zealand