1879–1882 Hall Ministry

Last updated November 03, 2022

The Hall Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, sometimes referred to as part of the Continuous Ministry.^[1] 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".^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.^[5] Contemporaries argued that "it was fear of Grey alone" which prevented wavering Members from voting down the Hall Government.^[6]

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.^[7] 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.^[7] Atkisnon was able to announce a Budget surplus in 1881.^[8]

Although Hall preferred to govern by means of Cabinet consensus,^[9] 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.^[10] 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 didn't get the backing of Cabinet on this aggressive approach.^[11] 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.^[12]

Reforms passed by this Ministry included the Triennial Parliaments Act^[4] and the introduction of universal manhood suffrage.^[13] However, in April 1882 Hall resigned on the advice of his doctors, advising Governor Gordon to call Whitaker to continue the government.^[14] 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.^[6]

Ministers

The following members served in the Hall Ministry:^[15]

Name	Office	Term
John Hall	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	Attorney-General	8 October 1879 – 25 September 1883
Harry Atkinson	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	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	Minister for Public Works	8 October 1879 – 31 May 1881
Richard Oliver	Member of Executive Council	8 October 1881 – 21 April 1882
John Bryce	Minister for Native Affairs	8 October 1879 – 21 January 1881
John Bryce	Minister for Native Affairs and Defence Minister	19 October 1881 – 16 August 1884
Henare Tomoana	Member of Executive Council	8 October 1881 – 25 October 1881
Thomas Dick	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 Woods Johnston	Postmaster-General	9 March 1881 – 11 October 1882
Walter Woods Johnston	Commissioner of Telegraphs	9 March 1881 – 11 October 1882

Notes

↑ Wilson, J. O. (James Oakley) (1985). New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 66–7.
↑ Parliamentary Debates (Vol. 32). G Didsbury (Government Printer). 1879. p. 392.
↑ Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 75.
1 2 Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. p. 163.
↑ Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 165–6.
1 2 Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 88.
1 2 Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 177–80.
↑ Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 89.
↑ Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 174–5.
↑ Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. p. 172.
↑ Stewart, William Downie (1940). William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. p. 156.
↑ Stewart, William Downie (1940). William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. p. 159.
↑ Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. p. 167.
↑ Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 188–9.
↑ Wilson, J. O. (1985). Parliamentary Record of New Zealand (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 66–7.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parihaka</span> Place in Taranaki, New Zealand

Parihaka is a community in the Taranaki region of New Zealand, located between Mount Taranaki and the Tasman Sea. In the 1870s and 1880s the settlement, then reputed to be the largest Māori village in New Zealand, became the centre of a major campaign of non-violent resistance to European occupation of confiscated land in the area. Armed soldiers were sent in and arrested the peaceful resistance leaders and many of the Maori residents, often holding them in jail for months without trials.

Sir Harry Albert Atkinson served as the tenth premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years. He was responsible for guiding the country during a time of economic depression, and was known as a cautious and prudent manager of government finances, though distrusted for some policies such as his 1882 National Insurance (welfare) scheme and leasehold land schemes. He also participated in the formation of voluntary military units to fight in the New Zealand Wars, and was noted for his strong belief in the need for seizure of Māori land.

Sir John Hall was a New Zealand politician who served as the 12th premier of New Zealand from 1879 to 1882. He was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, the third son of George Hall, a captain in the navy. At the age of ten he was sent to school in Switzerland and his education continued in Paris and Hamburg. After returning to England and being employed by the Post Office, at the age of 27 he decided to emigrate. He was also Mayor of Christchurch.

Sir Frederick Whitaker was an English-born New Zealand politician who served twice as the premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General.

The 1879 New Zealand general election was held between 28 August and 15 September 1879 to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 8 September. A total of 82,271 (66.5%) European voters turned out to vote, plus 14,553 Māori voters. Following the election, John Hall formed a new government.

The 1887 New Zealand general election was held on 26 September to elect 95 MPs to the tenth session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 7 September. 175,410 votes were cast. In 5 seats there was only one candidate.

William Rolleston was a New Zealand politician, public administrator, educationalist and Canterbury provincial superintendent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Bryce</span> New Zealand politician

John Bryce was a New Zealand politician from 1871 to 1891 and Minister of Native Affairs from 1879 to 1884. In his attitudes to Māori land questions, he favoured strict legal actions against Māori opposed to alienation, and he personally directed the invasion of Parihaka and the arrest of the leaders of the movement.

Francis Joseph Rolleston was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.

John Christopher Rolleston was a Reform Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

The 11th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand.

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. The Whitaker Ministry succeeded the Hall Ministry upon John Hall's resignation.

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

The Continuous Ministry was the government of New Zealand from 1876 to 1890, except for 1877 to 1879 and 1884 to 1887.

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.

Conservatism in New Zealand, though related to its counterparts in other Western countries, developed uniquely over time. Advocates followed a political ideology that emphasised the preservation of traditional European beliefs, institutions and practices.

The First Stout-Vogel Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand lasting less than a fortnight, not to be confused with the longer-lasting Second Stout-Vogel Ministry. It took office after the Continuous Ministry of Harry Atkinson fell to a confidence motion after the 1884 general election.

The First and Second Atkinson Ministries were responsible governments in a period sometimes known as the Continuous Ministry. Harry Atkinson formed a government on 1 September 1876, but as it included 9 salaried ministers rather than the legally mandated 8, the Ministry was forced to resign on 13 September and take office again without John Hall. This second Atkinson ministry survived a full year.

The Fourth Atkinson Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, which lasted less than a week. It formed on 28 August 1884 after the fall of the first attempt at a Stout-Vogel coalition and lasted until Robert Stout and Sir Julius Vogel took back their majority on 3 September.

The Second Stafford Ministry was the eighth responsible government to be formed in New Zealand, and one of the longer-lasting ministries during this period. It formed in October 1865 and lasted until June 1869. However, it was defeated in a vote of confidence on 15 August 1866 and resigned, to be reconstituted with three ministers replaced, so some contemporaries regarded it as two separate Ministries. As the office of Premier had yet to be formally established, Edward Stafford did not carry this title officially.

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.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Wilson, J. O. (James Oakley) (1985). New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 66–7.

[2] Parliamentary Debates (Vol. 32). G Didsbury (Government Printer). 1879. p. 392.

[3] Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 75.

[Garner_1995_163-4] 1 2 Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. p. 163.

[5] Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 165–6.

[Bassett_1969_88-6] 1 2 Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 88.

[:0-7] 1 2 Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 177–80.

[8] Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 89.

[9] Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 174–5.

[10] Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. p. 172.

[11] Stewart, William Downie (1940). William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. p. 156.

[12] Stewart, William Downie (1940). William Rolleston: A New Zealand Statesman. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd. p. 159.

[13] Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. p. 167.

[14] Garner, Jean (1995). By His Own Merits: Sir John Hall: Pioneer, Pastoralist and Premier. Dryden Press. pp. 188–9.

[15] Wilson, J. O. (1985). Parliamentary Record of New Zealand (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 66–7.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

v t e Governments of New Zealand
Executives without power	Fitzgerald Forsaith
Responsible government	Sewell Fox (first) Stafford (first) Fox (second) Domett Whitaker–Fox Weld Stafford (second) Fox (third) Stafford (third) Waterhouse Fox (fourth) Vogel (first) Pollen Vogel (second) Continuous Ministry Atkinson (first) Atkinson (second) Grey Hall Whitaker Atkinson (third) Stout–Vogel (first) Atkinson (fourth) Stout–Vogel (second) Atkinson (fifth)
Governments along party lines	Liberal (1891–1912) Reform (1912–1928) United (1928–1931) United–Reform coalition (1931–1935) First Labour (1935–1949) First National (1949–1957) Second Labour (1957–1960) Second National (1960–1972) Third Labour (1972–1975) Third National (1975–1984) Fourth Labour (1984–1990) Fourth National (1990–1999) Fifth Labour (1999–2008) Fifth National (2008–2017) Sixth Labour (Current)