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Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1931, Page 4

'l'ntritsbAY of last week; says a writer in the Auckland Star, was the sovtmtyfifth anniversary of the appointment of the first New Zealand Ministry Unrig t a system of responsible Covoi'm mcnl. Although the Constitution Act passed by the Imperial Parliament in 1852 granted the colony a Parliament, it did .not grant responsible government, The executive power was Eft in the hands of the Governor and an executive council appointed hv the Crown. Parliament was merely an advisory body. A House nl Beprcsentntives was elected in 1854, hut if was not in the least pleased with tinlimitations placed upon it, and the light for responsible government began at ome. The second New Zealand Parliament met on April 15. 1856. hut. it was not until May 7 that Mr Honrv Sewell, who had been a member of the Executive Council under the old regime, was able to announce that the new system had been inaugurated. The Ministry comprised Messrs Henry Sewell, Francis Dillon Bell, Frederick Whitaker and Henry John Tailored. The two last-mentioned were members of the Legislative Council- Oddly enough, when he made the announcement, Mr Sewell had to explain that he and his colleagues hod been defeated on. an amendment to the Addressin Reply four days earlier and that they wore considering their position. On May 14 Mr (afterwards Sir William) Fox moved a series of resolutions traversing the financial policy of ihe Ministry. These wore carried, and the House adjourned. Two days later Air Sbweil. to tile surprbe of all who were not in his immediate Confidence, informed the House that be had advised the Governor to entrust Mr (id'U-rwnrds Sir Edward) Stafford, n member of his own party, with the formation of a new Ministry. AY lien the House met on May 17 Air Stafford stated that lie had been unable to secure the support that he considered necessary for the carrying on of the government of the country. AN’ Fox stated that at the request of the Governor lie had undertaken the task which had proved too much for his oppenonts. On ATay 29 Mr Fox announced the constitution of his AT in istry which included in addition, to himself Afessrs John Hall. Charles Brown, AAil. liam Daldy and Ralph Richardson. After eight days of office the Government was defeated on a motion of noconfidence moved by Air Stafford, and resigned on June 2. Up to this point the Mouse seems to have been educating itself in the processes and possibilities of responsible government. Each ATinistrv had lasted only thirteen days. Air Stafford, whose name is commemorated in West-land by the old mining township- of Stafford, and Staf. ford Street in Hokitika, was now given a second chance and succeeded in establishing stable Administration. His Government remained in nower for over five years. There followed four Afinistries, every one of which lasted only about a year. It was again Air Stafford who restored stability to the Admiiiisration. The second Stafford Government lasted for nearly four years. Sir Edward Stafford later returned to England, where he snent the evening of his long life. AVhen he died in 1901 the New Zealand Govemment, which was then led hy Mr Seddon. sent on behalf of the colony a wreath which bore the inscription; “New Zealand to her Statesman.” This wa«j a fitting tribute to the man who had played a large part in the early stages of responsible government in New Zealand.