New Zealand general election, 1887
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The New Zealand general election of 1887 was held July 22 to elect 95 MPs to the tenth session of the New Zealand Parliament. 137,686 votes (60.6% turnout) were cast.
The Maori vote was held on July 22.
1887 was the year the Independent Representation Commission was established to redraw electorate boundaries after each five-yearly population census; country quota reduced to 18%; £10 candidate's deposit introduced.
[edit] The Scarecrow Ministry
There was confusion in Wellington in September 1887 when the members gathered to form a government. John Bryce, William Rolleston and Robert Stout had all lost their seats. Sir John Hall said he was too old. Sir Julius Vogel's policies had been rejected by the voters.
So there was no alternative to Harry Atkinson, and after two weeks of negotiations he announced a ministry on 11 October. Only two ministers had served with him before. The Scarecrow Ministry was not expected to last, but did.
The years 1887 and 1888 were the worst of the Long Depression, and Atkinson cut salaries, raised loans and raised customs duties. He was not popular with the wealthy, but they feared the Opposition leaders Grey and Balance even more. And by 1890 Atkinson was too ill to make speeches in the House.
[edit] References
- Sir Harry Atkinson by Judith Bassett (1975, Auckland/Oxford University Presses, Auckland) ISBN 0196479347
- Sir Harry Atkinson by Judith Bassett (1969, AH & AW Reed, Wellington; New Zealand Profiles series of booklets)
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