Sewell Ministry

Last updated

Henry Sewell, 1st Premier of New Zealand Henry Sewell, ca 1872.jpg
Henry Sewell, 1st Premier of New Zealand

The Sewell Ministry was the first responsible government in New Zealand. Unlike previous executives, its members were held accountable to Parliament. This would form the basis for future governments in New Zealand.

Contents

The ministry formed in 1856, but lasted only one month, from 18 April to 20 May. From 7 May onwards, Henry Sewell held office as colonial secretary, considered to be the equivalent of a prime minister or premier. Thus, Sewell is regarded as the first prime minister of New Zealand.

Historic context

Sir George Grey, the 3rd Governor of New Zealand, greatly influenced the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 (UK), which granted the colony self-government, allowing for a bicameral Parliament consisting of an elected House of Representatives of 24 to 42 members, and an appointed Legislative Council of not fewer than ten members. It also allowed for provinces to be formed, each presided over by an elected Superintendent, for initially Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago. [1] Elections were held in 1853 for the provincial councils, the superintendents, and the House of Representatives. In this federal system, the central government had responsibility over defence and native affairs, and the provincial governments had substantial powers of their own. [2]

The system of government was set up at a time when European settlements were scattered and small, and communications and travel were rather difficult. Virtually all long distance travel and transport of goods was by sea. [2]

To be eligible to vote in either the provincial or national elections, voters had to be male owners of property valued at £50, or leasehold valued at £10. The first Parliament had 37 members, elected by 5849 voters, of which around 100 were Maori. [1] Once the provincial governments had been set up, New Zealand had given itself six miniature parliaments, endeavouring to emulate Westminster as best they could, for a total European population of about 30,000. And all of that in addition to the bicameral Parliament. [2]

At the first meeting of Parliament in May 1854, a resolution was passed that the House be given responsible and representative government immediately, i.e. the power to appoint an Executive Council that has decision-making powers. Robert Wynyard, the administrator filling in after Grey's departure and before the arrival of the next Governor, Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, formed an Executive Council led by James FitzGerald (the Fitzgerald Ministry). When it became clear that the first ministers had no power, they resigned as the Executive after seven weeks. [1] Wynyard prorogued Parliament as the members refused to accept his claim that responsible government was not possible without royal assent, which had not been given. In the next session, Thomas Forsaith, a member of the minority that supported Wynyard, was appointed by Wynyard to lead an Executive (the Forsaith Ministry). This appointed ministry did not have the confidence of Parliament and lasted only from 31 August to 2 September 1854.

When Browne arrived, he announced that self-government would begin with the 2nd New Zealand Parliament. [3]

First responsible government

Henry Sewell, who had been a member of the 1st Parliament, stood for re-election in the Town of Christchurch electorate, and was returned. [4] [3] As a result of his previous service on Fitzgerald's first Executive Council, Sewell was asked by Browne to form a government. He was appointed to the Executive Council on 18 April 1856, and became Colonial Secretary (considered to be the equivalent of Prime Minister), at the head of New Zealand's first responsible government, on 7 May. [3] Dillon Bell became Colonial Treasurer, Frederick Whitaker became Attorney-General, and Henry Tancred became a minister without portfolio. Whitaker and Tancred were both members of the Legislative Council. [5]

Previously, the Executive Council had functioned as an advisory group to the Governor, and ministerial functions were performed by appointed officials, not politicians. The various "ministers" serving on the Council, such as Andrew Sinclair (Colonial Secretary since 1844) and Alexander Shepherd (Colonial Treasurer since 1842), retired from their roles. [6] [7]

Ministers

The following members served on the Sewell Ministry: [5]

NameImageOfficeTerm
Henry Sewell
Henry Sewell, 1860 cropped.jpg
Member of Executive Council 18 April 1856 – 20 May 1856
Colonial Secretary 7 May 1856 – 20 May 1856
Dillon Bell
Francis Dillon Bell 1881.jpg
Member of Executive Council18 April 1856 – 20 May 1856
Colonial Treasurer 7 May 1856 – 20 May 1856
Frederick Whitaker
Frederick Whitaker.jpg
Member of Executive Council18 April 1856 – 20 May 1856
Attorney-General 7 May 1856 – 20 May 1856
Henry Tancred
Henry John Tancred 1882.jpg
Member of Executive Council18 April 1856 – 20 May 1856

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 King, Michael (2003). The Penguin History of New Zealand (20 ed.). Auckland: Penguin Books. ISBN   0-14-301867-1.
  2. 1 2 3 Wilson, John; Duncan Shaw-Brown (1991). Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings : Christchurch, New Zealand. Christchurch: Canterbury Regional Council. ISBN   1-86937-135-6.
  3. 1 2 3 McIntyre, W. David (22 June 2007). "Sewell, Henry 1807–1879". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  4. Scholefield 1950, p. 138.
  5. 1 2 Scholefield 1950, p. 31.
  6. Scholefield 1950, p. 27.
  7. Molloy, Brian P. J. (1 September 2010). "Sinclair, Andrew 1794–1861". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography . Retrieved 2 December 2010.

Related Research Articles

The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election. It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's election. 37 Members of the House of Representatives (MHRs) represented 24 electorates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Sewell</span> Prime minister of New Zealand in 1856

Henry Sewell was a prominent 19th-century New Zealand politician. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-government, and is generally regarded as having been the country's first premier, having led the Sewell Ministry in 1856. He later served as Colonial Treasurer (1856–59), as Attorney-General (1861–62), and twice as Minister of Justice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Forsaith</span>

Thomas Spencer Forsaith, JP, was a New Zealand politician and an Auckland draper. According to some historians, he was the country's second premier, although a more conventional view states that neither he nor his predecessor should properly be given that title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Travers (New Zealand politician)</span> New Zealand lawyer, politician, explorer, naturalist and photographer (1819–1903)

William Thomas Locke Travers was a New Zealand lawyer, politician, explorer, and naturalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James FitzGerald (New Zealand politician)</span> New Zealand politician

James Edward FitzGerald was a New Zealand politician. According to some historians, he should be considered the country's first premier, although a more conventional view is that neither he nor his successor should properly be given that title. He was a notable campaigner for New Zealand self-governance. He was the first Superintendent of the Canterbury Province.

The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election. The 2nd Parliament was the first under which New Zealand had responsible government, meaning that unlike previously, the Cabinet was chosen by Parliament rather than by the Governor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministers in the New Zealand Government</span>

Ministers, in the New Zealand Government, are members of Parliament (MPs) who hold ministerial warrants from the Crown to perform certain functions of government. This includes formulating and implementing policies and advising the governor-general. Ministers collectively make up the executive branch of the New Zealand state. The governor-general is obliged to follow the advice of the prime minister on the appointment and dismissal of ministers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Wynyard</span> British politician

Robert Henry Wynyard was a New Zealand colonial administrator, serving at various times as Lieutenant Governor of New Ulster Province, Administrator of the Government, and was the first Superintendent of Auckland Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Tancred (New Zealand politician)</span> New Zealand politician

Henry John Tancred, also known as Harry Tancred, was a 19th-century New Zealand politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Bowen (New Zealand politician)</span> New Zealand politician

Sir Charles Christopher Bowen was a New Zealand politician.

Richard Packer was a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament from 1856–1859 representing the Town of Christchurch electorate. He was also a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council, including its treasurer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Ollivier</span>

John Ollivier was a Member of Parliament in New Zealand, but was better known for his membership of the Canterbury Provincial Council. He was the second chairman of the Christchurch Town Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1860 Town of Christchurch by-election</span> New Zealand by-election

The Town of Christchurch by-election in 1860 was triggered by the resignation of Richard Packer as the Member of the House of Representatives for the Town of Christchurch electorate, and occurred during the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament. The previous representative of the electorate, the politician Henry Sewell, had returned after three years in England and the general expectation was that Sewell would be the sole contender for election. The Lyttelton Times wrote several provocative editorials, generally endorsing Sewell for his obvious ability, but criticising him for not publicly talking about his policies and plans. Sewell eventually arranged a public meeting the evening prior to nomination day; this was the only public meeting during the election campaign. After a lengthy address, which was favourably received by the Lyttelton Times, a second contender for the office put his name forward at that meeting: the publican Michael Hart. Sewell, a former premier and one of New Zealand's most senior politicians at the time, was successful against the political novice Hart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colony of New Zealand</span> British crown colony (1841–1907)

The Colony of New Zealand was a Crown colony of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland that encompassed the islands of New Zealand from 1841 to 1907. The power of the British government was vested in the Governor of New Zealand, as the representative of their monarch. The colony had three capitals: Old Russell in 1841; Auckland from 1841 to 1865; and Wellington, which was the capital until the colony's reorganisation into a Dominion, and continues to be the capital of New Zealand till the present day.

Captain Charles Simeon was one of the members of the Canterbury Association who emigrated to Canterbury in New Zealand in 1851. The family spent four years in the colony and during this time, he held various important posts and positions. He returned to England in 1855. He was devoted to the Anglican church and three of his sons became priests, while two of his daughters married priests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Barnes Gresson</span>

Henry Barnes Gresson was a New Zealand judge.

William John Warburton Hamilton, who generally signed as J. W. Hamilton, was an administrator, explorer, and politician in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1865 Town of New Plymouth by-election</span> New Zealand by-election

The 1865 Town of New Plymouth by-election was a by-election held in the Town of New Plymouth electorate during the 3rd New Zealand Parliament, on 19 May 1865. The by-election was caused by the resignation of the incumbent, Charles Brown, and was won unopposed by Henry Sewell. Whilst Sewell was not a local resident, he was a member of the government through his appointment to the Legislative Council, the upper house of Parliament. Sewell accepted the invitation to represent the electorate, as him becoming a member of the lower house was seen to strengthen the government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard James Strachan Harman</span> New Zealand civil engineer

Richard James Strachan Harman was trained as a civil engineer. However, in Christchurch, New Zealand, he worked as a bureaucrat, politician and businessman. He was one of the Canterbury Pilgrims, having arrived in Lyttelton, on Sir George Seymour, one of the First Four Ships. He was a business partner of Edward Cephas John Stevens and senior partner of Harman and Stevens, and together they took financial control of the Christchurch newspaper The Press from its original proprietor, James FitzGerald, over a protracted period. Harman held many important roles with the Canterbury Provincial Council and was the last Deputy-Superintendent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Assembly House</span> First building to house the New Zealand Parliament in Auckland

The General Assembly House, colloquially called "Shedifice" by the members of Parliament, was the first building to house the New Zealand Parliament in Auckland. It was in use by Parliament from 1854 until 1864 during the time that Auckland was the capital of New Zealand. It was also used by the Auckland Provincial Council, with Auckland Province owning the building from 1858. After the abolition of the provincial government system, the building was used by the government's survey department and was then used by Auckland University College. The General Assembly House was demolished in 1917 to make way for Anzac Avenue. Today, a reserve adjacent to Parliament Street commemorates the location where the New Zealand Parliament met initially.

References

See also