The Grey Ministry was a responsible government that was formed in New Zealand. It formed in October 1877 and governed for two years until October 1879. From the outset, Sir George Grey served as Prime Minister.
Background As Premier, Grey was highly active in promoting middle-class liberalism to New Zealanders sponsoring ideas such as electoral reform, land taxes, breaking up large estates, regulation of wages and working hours and accessible education. However his ideas were too radical for many of his contemporaries. Grey's administration was perceived as defective and his leadership poor. As he never had a safe majority in Parliament, Grey unsuccessfully asked for a dissolution in 1878. Soon after the economy began to slide into recession, which caused much unemployment and as a result, unpopularity. The next year Grey's government lost a division in the House triggering an election. Grey and his followers failed to win a majority and in October 1879 Grey resigned.
Ministers The following members served in the Grey Ministry: NameImageOfficeTerm Sir George Grey Prime Minister 15 October 1877 – 8 October 1879 Colonial Secretary 15 October 1877 – 18 October 1877 Minister of Customs 15 October 1877 – 12 January 1878 12 July 1878 – 8 October 1879 Minister of Marine 9 April 1878 – 8 October 1879 Minister of Finance 13 July 1879 – 8 October 1879 William Larnach Minister of Finance 15 October 1877 – 5 March 1878 Minister of Public Works 15 October 1877 – 5 March 1878 James Macandrew Minister of Lands 15 October 1877 – 25 July 1878 Minister of Immigration 15 October 1877 – 25 July 1878 Minister of Public Works 28 March 1878 – 8 October 1879 John Sheehan Minister of Native Affairs 13 October 1877 – 8 October 1879 Minister of Justice 13 October 1877 – 8 October 1879 James Temple Fisher Postmaster-General 13 October 1877 – 8 October 1879 George Stoddart Whitmore Colonial Secretary 18 October 1877 – 8 October 1879 John Ballance Minister of Education 12 January 1878 – 1 July 1879 Minister of Finance 12 January 1878 – 1 July 1879 Robert Stout Attorney-General 13 March 1878 – 25 June 1879 Minister of Lands 13 March 1878 – 25 June 1879 Hoani Nahe Member of Executive Council 17 November 1877 – 8 October 1879 John Nathanial Wilson Member of Executive Council 2 November 1878 – 8 October 1879 William Swanson Member of Executive Council 17 April 1879 – 15 July 1879 William Gisborne Minister of Lands 5 July 1879 – 15 July 1879 Minister of Mines 5 July 1879 – 8 October 1879 Minister of Immigration 5 July 1879 – 8 October 1879 James William Thomson Member of Executive Council 15 July 1879 – 8 October 1879 Minister of Lands 16 July 1879 – 8 October 1879
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References
See also List of New Zealand governments