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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19492, 29 May 1925, Page 6

SHORT-LIVED MINISTRIES. Sojie slight historical interest attaches to the record of short-lived Ministries in Now Zealand. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, who formed a transitional Government on the day of Mr Massey’s funeral and yesterday tendered its resignation in order to give place to the new leader of the Reform Party, was at the head of affairs for fourteen days. There have been various instances in New Zealand of the enjoyment of a shorter term of office by a Government. The Bell-Sewcll Ministry, which signalised the establishment of responsible government, lasted for thirteen days—from May. 7to May 20, 1856. The name of the first Sir Francis Dillon Bell appears with precedence in the annals, though Mr Sewell was nominal head of the “Bell-Sewell” Cabinet. The Ministry resigned in consequence of being defeated, by a majority of two, on the question of the relations of general and provincial government. Sir William Fox succeeded, and, strange to say, he also held the fort for thirteen days —-May 20 to June 2. By a majority of one the House of Representatives dismissed the Fox Ministry on its financial proposals, and then came Sir Edward Stafford, who established security and managed to hold on for no thjiu five years. Afterwards Sir AVilliam Fox had another term of thirteen months, and was followed by Mr Alfred Domett—tbfe poet-statesman, Browning’s “Waring”—who stayed two months longer. Passing over some average records, we find that the third Stafford Government lasted for exactly a month, the Waterhouse Government for less than five months, and the last Fox Government for five weeks. The first Atkinson Administration in 1876 is officially described as having existed for thirteen days—the fatal number, — but it was immediately reconstituted, so that this is not a typical instance of brief duration. The first Stout-Vogel Government had twelve days of life (just missing the thirteen), and then Major Atkinson put in six days (August 28 to September 3)—the unchallengeable record of brevity. It is worth while recalling that in this case the indulgence of even six days’ grace was due only to the necessity of taking time to make new arrangements. The Government was in reality more short-lived than the recorded dates might imply. It was an abortive Administration. It took office on August 28; on August 29 it was committed to a pathetically early grave by a vote of 43 against 35. It was not allowed to state its policy. Portfolios had not been definitely allotted. A motion of want of confidence was tabled before some of the now Ministers had taken their seats in Parliament. This was the Ministerial experiment which gave Mr Edward Wakefield and Mr Richmond Hursthou.se their unprecedentedly brief opportunity of official service. Next followed the reign of comparatively longlived Ministries, broken first by Sir William Hali-Jones’s six weeks’ tenure of office in 1906 after Mr Seddon’s death, while Sir Joseph Ward was on his way back from London. Tljiat was a matter of provisional accommodation, akin to the recent arrangement following Mr Massey’s death. It may further bo noted that Sir Thomas Mackenzie was Prime Minister for three and a-half months in 1912.