1869–1872 Fox Ministry

[4] The provincialist faction behind William Fox defeated the Stafford Ministry in 1869 with a 40–29 no-confidence motion over the sacking of Donald McLean as Government Agent in the Native Department.[5] McLean, also a Member of the House of Representatives, was appointed Native Minister in the new Ministry and focused largely on his own portfolio: his aim was to ‘glide into a state of peace’ by ending confiscation of Maori land.[8] Isaac Featherston grew detached from the Ministry due to its “inflexible” provincialism[9] and was sent to London with Dillon Bell to request that the Imperial Government retain two Army regiments in New Zealand and guarantee a £1 million loan – they were successful only in the second objective.[12] The Great Public Works policy attracted widespread support, especially from Members whose electorates stood to gain a bridge or railway line.[17] Henry Sewell joined the Ministry from Opposition in 1870 to lead it in the Legislative Council and to make it more ‘cautious’ in policy, but ended up being asked to resign for refusing to bring Vogel’s bills into the upper house.