1882–1883 Whitaker ministry

New Zealand government led by Frederick Whitaker September 2024 September 2024 thumb|300px|The Whitaker ministry in July 1882 (Connolly not appointed yet) 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. Wilson Jim Jim Wilson (librarian) New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 4 First ed. published 1913 1985 V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer Wellington 154283103 68–69 The Whitaker ministry succeeded the Hall ministry upon John Hall's resignation.Obituary https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=OW19000215.2.16.4 21 May 2012 Otago Witness 15 February 1900 2398 9 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.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 188–9 Whitaker had been the Hall government's representative in the Legislative Council, renowned as "a Triton among minnows" in that house.Taonga New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Whitaker, Frederick https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1w17/whitaker-frederick 2022-11-02 teara.govt.nz en 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.Bassett Judith Sir Harry Atkinson Reed 1969 108 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".Bassett Judith Sir Harry Atkinson Reed 1969 121 Similarly, William Rolleston's attempt to create a perpetual Crown lease option for land ownership was amended beyond recognition by the Legislative Council.Stewart William Downie William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd 1940 142–6 On 15 September 1882 the ministry passed the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act,1882 North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act, 1882 http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/nimtrla188246v1882n74453/ New Zealand Law online 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.Bassett Judith Sir Harry Atkinson Reed 1969 122 He was succeeded by his close colleague Harry Atkinson. Ministers The following members served in the Whitaker ministry: NamePortraitOfficeTerm Frederick Whitaker, MLC center|75px Premier 21 April 1882 – 25 September 1883 Attorney-General 8 October 1879 – 25 September 1883 Harry Atkinson center|75px 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 center|75px Minister of Lands and Immigration 8 October 1879 – 16 August 1884 Minister of Mines 15 December 1880 – 16 August 1884 John Bryce center|75px Minister of Native Affairs 19 October 1881 – 16 August 1884 Thomas Dick center|75px 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 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 center|75px Member of Executive Council 18 May 1882 – 25 September 1883 Edward Conolly center|75px Minister of Justice 11 October 1882 – 16 August 1884 References See also List of New Zealand governments Category:Ministries of Queen Victoria Category:Governments of New Zealand Category:1882 establishments in New Zealand Category:1883 disestablishments in New Zealand Whitaker Ministry Whitaker Ministry