The Third Atkinson Ministry was a responsible government in New Zealand, sometimes referred to as part of the Continuous Ministry.[1] It took office after the retirement of Frederick Whitaker and continued the personnel and policies of the Whitaker and Hall ministries.[2]
Harry Atkinson, who had been Treasurer in the previous two Ministries of John Hall and Frederick Whitaker, retained the entire outgoing Cabinet with the exception of the retiring Whitaker. Walter Woods Johnston later left the Ministry to return to his own private business and was replaced with Edwin Mitchelson.[3]
This third Atkinson Ministry lacked popular support due to its perceived parsimony and the limited number of Public Works projects it undertook. In June 1884 the government lost a no-confidence motion, but neither of the Opposition leaders, William Montgomery and Sir George Grey, was able to put together a majority government in its place.[4] Before calling an election, Atkinson announced a policy of ‘closer settlement’ of land, Crown pre-emption in purchases of Māori land, and encouragement of local industry through moderately protectionist tariffs.[5]
At the 1884 general election, Sir Julius Vogel returned to New Zealand politics and led a party of followers into the House. As the factional arithmetic was unclear, Atkinson's ministry remained in power until the House met and Vogel was able to put together a coalition with Robert Stout.[6]
The following members served in the Hall Ministry:[7]
| Name | Portrait | Office | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Atkinson | Premier | 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Colonial Treasurer | 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| Commissioner of Stamp Duties | 29 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| Commissioner of Trade and Customs | 21 April 1882 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| William Rolleston | Minister of Lands | 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Minister of Immigration | 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| Minister of Mines | 15 December 1880 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| John Bryce | Minister for Native Affairs | 19 October 1881 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Thomas Dick | Colonial Secretary | 5 March 1880 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Minister of Education | 15 December 1880 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| Walter Woods Johnston | Minister for Public Works | 21 April 1882 - 23 November 1883 | ||
| Member of Executive Council | 25 September 1883 - 4 June 1884 | |||
| Edward Conolly | Minister of Justice | 11 October 1882 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Attorney-General | 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| Richard Oliver, MLC | Postmaster-General | 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Electric Telegraph Commissioner | 25 September 1883 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| Edwin Mitchelson | Minister for Public Works | 23 November 1883 - 16 August 1884 |