1879–1882 Hall ministry

Former government of New Zealand November 2022 The Hall ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, sometimes referred to as part of the Continuous Ministry.Wilson 1985 66–67 It took office after defeating Sir George Grey's supporters (many of whom would subsequently form the Liberal Party) in a confidence motion, and is usually regarded as a conservative ministry, although Hall himself described his followers as "the independent Liberal party".Parliamentary Debates (Vol. 32) G Didsbury (Government Printer) 1879 392 Background Sir William Fox acted as leader of the opposition to Grey and moved a no-confidence motion against him which precipitated the 1879 general election; however, Fox lost his seat in that election, leaving Hall in charge by default.Bassett Judith Sir Harry Atkinson Reed 1969 75 Hall moved his own confidence motion when the House met, and won by two votes on account of the government's "extravagance" on the civil service and a new £5 million loan.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 163 Almost immediately, the Hall ministry was challenged when James Macandrew and others returned to Grey's party and moved a fresh confidence motion against Hall. However, the new ministry survived by signing a formal deal with the so-called 'Auckland Rats', who shifted to support Hall in return for a promise to maintain public works spending in the North Island.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 165–6 Contemporaries argued that "it was fear of Grey alone" which prevented wavering members from voting down the Hall government.Bassett Judith Sir Harry Atkinson Reed 1969 88 The ministry's main goal was retrenchment amid the long economic depression of the 1880s: Treasurer Harry Atkinson introduced a property tax and increased customs duties while reducing public spending on elements of the Public Works programme such as government-assisted passages for male immigrants.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 177–80 Rather than continue with big infrastructure projects, Hall's ministry focused on smaller projects spread throughout the country as a means of attracting the support of the widest possible number of members, and then attempted to de-politicise railway construction by creating a separate Board of Public Works. Atkisnon was able to announce a budget surplus in 1881.Bassett Judith Sir Harry Atkinson Reed 1969 89 Although Hall preferred to govern by means of Cabinet consensus,Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 174–5 the ministry was divided on Māori policy. Henare Tomoana, appointed Minister without portfolio representing the Native Race, understood that he was to have greater influence over this, and was disappointed by Native Minister John Bryce's announcement of his own policy.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 172 He resigned after being in office for a fortnight. Bryce favoured the forcible confiscation of Taranaki land occupied by Te Whiti, and was forced to resign in William Rolleston's favour when he did not obtain the backing of Cabinet on this aggressive approach.Stewart William Downie William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd 1940 156 Rolleston, however, was unable to convince Te Whiti to accept his proposed Native Reserves, and Bryce was brought back to lead the armed march on Te Whiti's passive-resister community at Parihaka.Stewart William Downie William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd 1940 159 Reforms passed by this ministry included the Triennial Parliaments Act and the introduction of universal manhood suffrage.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 167 However, in April 1882 Hall resigned on the advice of his doctors, advising Governor Gordon to call Whitaker to continue the government.Garner Jean By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier Dryden Press 1995 188–9 However, as Hall was at that moment in conflict with Bryce, Gordon instead attempted to call Sir George Grey back to office and had to be reminded that Hall's supporters still had a parliamentary majority. Ministers The following members served in the Hall ministry:Wilson 1985 66–67 NamePortraitOfficeTerm John Hall center|75px Premier 8 October 1879 – 21 April 1882 Colonial Secretary 8 October 1879 – 5 March 1880 Postmaster-General 22 December 1879 – 9 March 1881 Commissioner of Telegraphs 22 December 1879 – 9 March 1881 Commissioner of Customs 10 March 1881 – 21 April 1882 Frederick Whitaker, MLC center|75px Attorney-General 8 October 1879 – 25 September 1883 Harry Atkinson center|75px Colonial Treasurer 8 October 1879 – 16 August 1884 Commissioner of Customs 8 October 1879 – 10 March 1881 Commissioner of Stamp Duties 8 October 1879 – 16 August 1884 William Rolleston center|75px Minister of Lands and Immigration 8 October 1879 – 16 August 1884 Minister of Education 8 October 1879 – 15 December 1880 Minister of Justice 15 December 1880 – 23 April 1881 Minister of Mines 15 December 1880 – 16 August 1884 Minister for Native Affairs 4 February 1881 – 19 October 1881 Richard Oliver center|75px Minister for Public Works 8 October 1879 – 31 May 1881 Member of Executive Council 8 October 1881 – 21 April 1882 John Bryce center|75px Minister for Native Affairs 8 October 1879 – 21 January 1881 Minister for Native Affairs and Defence Minister 19 October 1881 – 16 August 1884 Henare Tomoana center|75px Member of Executive Council 8 October 1881 – 25 October 1881 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 Walter Johnston Postmaster-General 9 March 1881 – 11 October 1882 Commissioner of Telegraphs 9 March 1881 – 11 October 1882 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:1879 establishments in New Zealand Category:Cabinets established in 1879 Category:Cabinets disestablished in 1882 Category:1882 disestablishments in New Zealand