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.[1] The Whitaker Ministry succeeded the Hall Ministry upon John Hall's resignation.[2]
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.[3] Whitaker had been the Hall Government's representative in the Legislative Council, renowned as “a Triton among minnows” in that house.[4] 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.[5] 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”.[6] Similarly, William Rolleston’s attempt to create a perpetual Crown lease option for land ownership was amended beyond recognition by the Legislative Council.[7]
On 15 September 1882 the ministry passed the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act,[8] 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.[9] He was succeeded by his close colleague Harry Atkinson.
The following members served in the Whitaker Ministry:
| Name | Portrait | Office | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick Whitaker, MLC | Premier | 21 April 1882 - 25 September 1883 | ||
| Attorney-General | 8 October 1879 - 25 September 1883 | |||
| Harry Atkinson | 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 | Minister of Lands and Immigration | 8 October 1879 - 16 August 1884 | ||
| Minister of Mines | 15 December 1880 - 16 August 1884 | |||
| John Bryce | Minister of 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 | |||
| 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 Woods 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 | Member of Executive Council | 18 May 1882 - 25 September 1883 | ||
| Edward Conolly | Minister of Justice | 11 October 1882 - 16 August 1884 |