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{{for|the Scottish politician with the same name|John Annan Bryce}}
{{short description|New Zealand politician}}
{{other people}}
{{for|the Scottish television producer|John Bryce (producer)}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix=[[The Honourable]]
|honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
|name= John Bryce
|name = John Bryce
|image=JohnBryce.jpg
|image = JohnBryce.jpg
|caption = Bryce, {{circa|1870s}}
|order=[[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]]
|order = 2nd [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]]
|primeminister=[[John Ballance]]
|primeminister = [[John Ballance]]
|term_start=23 January 1891
|term_end=31 August 1891
|term_start = 23 January 1891
|term_end = 31 August 1891
|predecessor=[[John Ballance]]
|predecessor = [[John Ballance]]
|successor=[[William Rolleston]]
|successor = [[William Rolleston]]
|order2 = 11th [[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]]
|order2 = 11th [[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]]
|primeminister2=[[John Hall (New Zealand politician)|John Hall]]<br>[[Frederick Whitaker]]<br>[[Harry Atkinson]]
|primeminister2 = [[John Hall (New Zealand politician)|John Hall]]<br>[[Frederick Whitaker]]<br>[[Harry Atkinson]]
|term_start2 = 19 October 1881
|term_start2 = 19 October 1881
|term_end2 = 16 August 1884
|term_end2 = 16 August 1884
|predecessor2 = [[William Rolleston]]
|successor2 = [[John Ballance]]
|predecessor2 = [[William Rolleston]]
|primeminister3=[[John Hall (New Zealand politician)|John Hall]]
|successor2 = [[John Ballance]]
|primeminister3 = [[John Hall (New Zealand politician)|John Hall]]
|term_start3 = 8 October 1879
|term_start3 = 8 October 1879
|term_end3 =21 January 1881
|term_end3 = 21 January 1881
|predecessor3= [[John Sheehan (New Zealand politician)|John Sheehan]]
|predecessor3 = [[John Sheehan (New Zealand politician)|John Sheehan]]
|successor3 = [[William Rolleston]]
|successor3 = [[William Rolleston]]
|constituency_MP4 = [[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]
|constituency_MP4 = [[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]
|parliament4 = New Zealand
|parliament4 = New Zealand
|term_start4 = 5 December 1890
|majority4 =
⚫
|term_end4 = 31 August 1891
|term_start4 = [[New Zealand general election, 1890|1890]]
|predecessor4 = [[John Blair Whyte]]
⚫
|term_end4 = 1891
|successor4 = [[Edward Lake (politician)|Edward Lake]]
|predecessor4 =
|successor4 =
|constituency_MP5 = {{NZ electorate link|Waipa}}
|constituency_MP5 = {{NZ electorate link|Waipa}}
|parliament5 = New Zealand
|parliament5 = New Zealand
⚫
|term_start5 = 21 November 1889
|majority5 =
|term_end5 = 5 December 1890
⚫
|term_start5 = 1889
|term_end5 = [[New Zealand general election, 1890|1890]]
|predecessor5 = [[William Jackson (New Zealand politician)|William Jackson]]
⚫
|successor5 =
|predecessor5 =
⚫
|successor5 =
|constituency_MP6 = [[Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)|Waitotara]]
|constituency_MP6 = [[Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)|Waitotara]]
|parliament6 = New Zealand
|parliament6 = New Zealand
|term_start6 = 9 December 1881
|majority6 =
|term_end6 = 26 September 1887
|term_start6 = [[New Zealand general election, 1881|1881]]
|term_end6 = [[New Zealand general election, 1887|1887]]
|successor6 = [[George Hutchison (New Zealand politician)|George Hutchison]]
|successor6 = [[George Hutchison (New Zealand politician)|George Hutchison]]
|constituency_MP7 = [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]]
|constituency_MP7 = [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]]
|parliament7 = New Zealand
|parliament7 = New Zealand
|term_start7 = 30 January 1871
|majority7 =
|term_end7 = 9 December 1881
|term_start7 = [[New Zealand general election, 1866|1866]]
|term_end7 = 1867
|predecessor7 =
⚫
|successor7 =
|predecessor7 =
|term_start8 = 3 March 1866
⚫
|successor7 =
|term_end8 = February 1867
|term_start8 = [[New Zealand general election, 1871|1871]]
⚫
|birth_date = {{birth date|1833|9|14|df=y}}
|term_end8 = [[New Zealand general election, 1881|1881]]
⚫
|birth_place = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
⚫
|birth_date={{birth date|1833|9|14|df=y}}
⚫
|death_date = {{death date and age|1913|1|17|1833|9|14|df=y}}
⚫
|birth_place=[[Glasgow, Scotland|Glasgow]], Scotland
⚫
|death_place = [[Wanganui]], New Zealand
⚫
|death_date={{death date and age|1913|1|17|1833|9|14|df=y}}
|spouse = {{marriage|Anne Campbell|1854}}
⚫
|death_place=[[Wanganui]], New Zealand
|children = 14
|spouse=Anne Campbell (married 1854), 14 children
|occupation = Farmer
|religion=
|profession=Farmer
}}
}}
'''John Bryce''' (14 September 1833 – 17 January 1913) was a New Zealand politician from 1871 to 1891 and [[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]] from 1879 to 1884. In his attitudes to Māori land questions, he favoured strict legal actions against Māori opposed to alienation, and he directed the invasion of [[Parihaka]] and the arrest of the movement's leaders.<ref name="riseborough">{{cite web |last1=Riseborough |first1=Hazel |title=Bryce, John |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2b44/bryce-john |website=[[Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |date=1993}}</ref><ref name="nzhistory">{{cite web |title=John Bryce |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/john-bryce |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |date=12 December 2019 |quote= He was variously described as a man of resolute will and sterling honesty; a persecutor and a tyrant; narrow-minded, opinionated and obstinate; and a man with embittered feelings on Māori questions.}}</ref>


⚫
Described as stubborn and embittered to Māori questions, Bryce was the public face of a harsh policy towards Māori, but the Premier and other cabinet members supported his actions.<ref name="riseborough" />
'''John Bryce''' (14 September 1833 – 17 January 1913) was a New Zealand politician from 1871 to 1891 and [[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]] from 1879 to 1884. In his attitudes to Māori land questions, he favoured strict legal actions against Māori opposed to alienation, and he personally directed the invasion of [[Parihaka]] and the arrest of the leaders of the movement.

⚫
Described as being stubborn and embittered to Māori questions,{{by whom|date=February 2015}} Bryce was the public face of a harsh policy towards Māori, but his actions were supported by the Premier and other members of his cabinet.


==Early life==
==Early life==
John Bryce arrived in New Zealand as a child in 1840, and had little formal education.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
John Bryce arrived in New Zealand as a child in 1840 and had little formal education.<ref name="nzhistory" />


After a short time in the Australian gold-fields in 1851, he purchased a farm near [[Wanganui]] and remained a farmer for the next fifty years.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
After a short time in the [[Australian gold-fields]] in 1851, he purchased a farm near [[Wanganui]] and remained a farmer for the next fifty years.<ref name="nzhistory-brunswick">{{cite web |title=Brunswick |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/tags-37 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]]}}</ref>


==Early political career==
==Early political career==
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|term=5th|electorate=Wanganui|party=Independent politician}}
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|start=[[New Zealand general election, 1875–76|1876]]<!-- election held on 7 January 1876 -->
|start=[[1875–1876 New Zealand general election|1876]]<!-- election held on 7 January 1876 -->
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|end=1879
|term=6th|electorate=Wanganui|party=Independent politician}}
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|start={{NZ election link year|1890}}
|start={{NZ election link year|1890}}
|end=1891
|end=1891
|term=11th|electorate=[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]|party=Independent politician}}
|term=11th|electorate=[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]|party=Conservative (New Zealand)}}
{{NZ parlbox footer}}
{{end}}
In 1859, Bryce started his political career. By 1862 he was representing his area in the [[Wellington Province|Wellington Provincial Council]], and by 1866 was the Member of Parliament (MP) for [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]], a position he held for only a year before resigning due to ill-health.
In 1859, Bryce started his political career. By 1862 he was representing his area in the [[Wellington Province|Wellington Provincial Council]], and by 1866 was the Member of Parliament (MP) for [[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]], a position he held for only a year before resigning due to ill-health.<ref name="riseborough" />


==Titokowaru's War==
==Titokowaru's War==
{{main article|Titokowaru's War}}
{{main|Tītokowaru's War}}
When settlers were threatened by Māori led by [[Titikowaru]] in 1867, Bryce volunteered and became a lieutenant in the Kai-iwi Yeomanry Cavalry Volunteers. Bryce was proud of his commission, but an incident at William Handley's woolshed in November 1868 clouded his military career. Initially it was reported as an attack on a band of [[Hauhau]] warriors, killing two and wounding others and where Bryce was "prominent and set the men a gallant example" according to his commanding officer. Later reports had the Māori as a group of unarmed boys, aged from ten to twelve.
When settlers were threatened by Māori led by [[Tītokowaru]] in 1867, Bryce volunteered and became a lieutenant in the Kai-iwi Yeomanry Cavalry Volunteers. Bryce was proud of his commission, but an incident at William Handley's woolshed in November 1868 clouded his military career. Initially, it was reported as an attack on a band of [[Hauhau]] warriors, killing two and wounding others, and where Bryce was "prominent and set the men a gallant example", according to his commanding officer. Later reports had the Māori as a group of unarmed boys aged from ten to twelve.<ref name="riseborough" />


The incident in Which Bryce was alleged to have taken part was reported as an attack on woman and children in the "History of New Zealand" published in 1883 and led to a successful libel action against the publisher [[George William Rusden]]. Ex-Governor Arthur Gordon supported publisher Rusden but when the case went to trial Bryce won and was awarded damages as it was proved no women were present at Handley's woolshed, and Bryce denied being directly involved. Gordon's involvement and the damaging trial publicity delayed his elevation to the British peerage.<ref>Historical Frictions. M. Belgrave. Auckland University Press 2005.P262</ref>
The incident in which Bryce was alleged to have taken part was reported as an attack on women and children in the "History of New Zealand" published in 1883 and led to a successful libel action against the publisher [[George William Rusden]]. Ex-Governor [[Arthur Hamilton-Gordon]] supported publisher Rusden, but when the case went to trial, Bryce won and was awarded damages as it was proved no women were present at Handley's woolshed, and Bryce denied being directly involved. Gordon's involvement and the damaging trial publicity delayed his elevation to the British peerage.<ref>Historical Frictions. M. Belgrave. Auckland University Press 2005.P262</ref>


==Minister of Native Affairs==
==Minister of Native Affairs==
[[File:Whitaker Ministry, 1882–1883.jpg|left|thumbnail|Bryce (top left) in a cartoon depiction of the Whitaker Ministry]]
[[File:1882–1883 Whitaker Ministry.jpg|left|thumbnail|Bryce (top left) in a cartoon depiction of the Whitaker Ministry]]
In 1871, Bryce was back in Parliament as MP for [[Wanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]] to 1881, and then MP for [[Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)|Waitotara]] until 1887. From 1876 to 1879, he chaired the Native Affairs Committee and between 1879 and 1883, was the Minister of Native Affairs. He expanded the powers of the Native Land Court in order to facilitate the sale of Māori land, reduced the scope of the Native Department, and enforced the law against any Maori resisting land confiscation and sales. These actions made him deeply unpopular with Maori and Bishop [[Octavius Hadfield]] reported that west coast Māori called him Bryce kohuru (Bryce the murderer).
In 1871, Bryce was back in Parliament as MP for [[Wanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Wanganui]] to 1881, and then MP for [[Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)|Waitotara]] until 1887. From 1876 to 1879, he chaired the Native Affairs Committee and, between 1879 and 1883, was the Minister of Native Affairs. He expanded the powers of the Native Land Court to facilitate the sale of Māori land, reduced the scope of the Native Department, and enforced the law against any Māori resisting land confiscation and sales. These actions made him deeply unpopular with Māori, and Bishop [[Octavius Hadfield]] reported that west coast Māori called him Bryce kohuru (Bryce the murderer).<ref name="riseborough" />


===Parihaka===
===Parihaka===
{{main article|Parihaka}}
{{main|Parihaka}}
The alienation of Taranaki land was challenged by [[Te Whiti o Rongomai]] and [[Tohu Kākahi]] at [[Parihaka]] and their followers cultivated and planted confiscated land. When Bryce became Minister in 1879, two hundred Maori ploughmen were already imprisoned, and his introduction of the Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Act in 1879 allowed them to stay in prison awaiting trail for up to two years. By January 1881, his actions were being questioned in the British parliament, and he resigned to be replaced by the more moderate [[William Rolleston]].
The alienation of Taranaki land was challenged by [[Te Whiti o Rongomai]] and [[Tohu Kākahi]] at [[Parihaka]], and their followers cultivated and planted confiscated land. When Bryce became Minister in 1879, two hundred Māori ploughmen were already imprisoned, and his introduction of the Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Act in 1879 allowed them to stay in prison awaiting trial for up to two years. By January 1881, his actions were being questioned in the British parliament, and he resigned to be replaced by the more moderate [[William Rolleston]].


Rolleston was to be Native Minister only until October 1881, and in his last act, proclaimed that Parihaka inhabitants had fourteen days to comply with the law or faced confiscation of all their lands. Bryce became Native Minister, and on 5 November 1881 was at Parihaka at the head of 1,600 Armed Constabulary to arrest the leaders and disperse the village.
Rolleston was to be Native Minister only until October 1881. In his last act, he proclaimed that Parihaka inhabitants had fourteen days to comply with the law or face confiscation of all their lands. Bryce became Native Minister, and on 5 November 1881, he was at Parihaka at the head of 1,600 Armed Constabulary to arrest the leaders and disperse the village.


In April 1882 Premier [[John Hall (New Zealand politician)|John Hall]] privately criticised Bryce to the Attorney General and said he would resign 'unless Bryce turned over a new leaf'. When Bryce heard of this, he resigned, and the Hall Government fell. Bryce was re-appointed Native Minister under Premiers [[Frederick Whitaker]] and [[Harry Atkinson]] in 1882 to 1884.
In April 1882, Premier [[John Hall (New Zealand politician)|John Hall]] privately criticised Bryce to the Attorney General and said he would resign 'unless Bryce turned over a new leaf'. When Bryce heard of this, he resigned, and the Hall Government fell. Bryce was re-appointed Native Minister under Premiers [[Frederick Whitaker]] and [[Harry Atkinson]] from 1882 to 1884.<ref name="riseborough" />


Bryce lost his [[Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)|Waitotara seat]] in 1887. In 1889, Bryce was re-elected in 1889, this time to {{NZ electorate link|Waipa}}, and then in 1890 to [[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]. He was considered by some of his parliamentary supporters to be a possible replacement for Premier Harry Atkinson. Briefly he was [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]], but resigned from Parliament in 1891 for refusing to withdraw his criticism of the Premier. The [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker]], [[William Steward (New Zealand politician)|William Steward]], ruled the criticism unparliamentary, and when Bryce refused to withdraw the words, "the House passed a vote of censure on him for not obeying the chair. He left the chamber, and never came back."<ref>{{cite news |title=The Father of the House |url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=MEX19060705.2.5 |accessdate=27 September 2013 |newspaper=[[The Marlborough Express]] |date=5 July 1906 |volume=XXXIX |issue=155 |page=1}}</ref>
Bryce lost his [[Waitotara (New Zealand electorate)|Waitotara seat]] in 1887. In 1889, Bryce was re-elected in 1889, this time to {{NZ electorate link|Waipa}}, and then in 1890 to [[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]. Some of his parliamentary supporters considered him a possible replacement for Premier Harry Atkinson. Briefly, he was [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]], but resigned from parliament in 1891 for refusing to withdraw his criticism of the Premier. The [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker]], [[William Steward (New Zealand politician)|William Steward]], ruled the criticism unparliamentary. When Bryce refused to withdraw the words, "the House passed a vote of censure on him for not obeying the chair. He left the chamber, and never came back."<ref>{{cite news |title=The Father of the House |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=MEX19060705.2.5 |access-date=27 September 2013 |work=[[Marlborough Express]]|date=5 July 1906 |volume=XXXIX |issue=155 |page=1}}</ref>


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==References==
==References==
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{{S-ttl|title=[[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]]|years=1879–1881<br>1881–1884|rows=2}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Minister of Māori Affairs|Minister of Native Affairs]]|years=1879–1881<br><br>1881–1884|rows=2}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Member of Parliament for Wanganui]]|years=1866–1867<br>1871–1881<br><small>serving alongside [[William Fox (politician)|William Fox]] and [[John Ballance]]</small>|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Whanganui (New Zealand electorate)|Member of Parliament for Wanganui]]|years=1866–1867<br>1871–1881<br><small>serving alongside [[William Fox (politician)|William Fox]] and [[John Ballance]]</small>|rows=2}}
{{s-aft|after=Harrison}}
{{s-aft|after=Henry Shafto Harrison}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Member of Parliament for Waikato]]|years=1890–1891}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Member of Parliament for Waikato]]|years=1890–1891}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward Lake (politician)|Edward Lake]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward Lake (politician)|Edward Lake]]}}
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[[Category:New Zealand farmers]]
[[Category:19th-century New Zealand farmers]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition (New Zealand)]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition (New Zealand)]]
[[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the New Zealand general election, 1887]]
[[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1887 New Zealand general election]]
[[Category:New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates]]
[[Category:New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates]]
[[Category:People from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Politicians from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Scottish emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:Scottish emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:19th-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:19th-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:Parihaka]]

Revision as of 04:22, 5 November 2024

For other people named John Bryce, see John Bryce (disambiguation).

The Honourable
John Bryce
Bryce, c. 1870s
2nd Leader of the Opposition
In office
23 January 1891 – 31 August 1891
Prime MinisterJohn Ballance
Preceded byJohn Ballance
Succeeded byWilliam Rolleston
11th Minister of Native Affairs
In office
19 October 1881 – 16 August 1884
Prime MinisterJohn Hall
Frederick Whitaker
Harry Atkinson
Preceded byWilliam Rolleston
Succeeded byJohn Ballance
In office
8 October 1879 – 21 January 1881
Prime MinisterJohn Hall
Preceded byJohn Sheehan
Succeeded byWilliam Rolleston
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Waikato
In office
5 December 1890 – 31 August 1891
Preceded byJohn Blair Whyte
Succeeded byEdward Lake
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Waipa
In office
21 November 1889 – 5 December 1890
Preceded byWilliam Jackson
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Waitotara
In office
9 December 1881 – 26 September 1887
Succeeded byGeorge Hutchison
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Wanganui
In office
30 January 1871 – 9 December 1881
In office
3 March 1866 – February 1867
Personal details
Born(1833-09-14)14 September 1833
Glasgow, Scotland
Died17 January 1913(1913-01-17) (aged 79)
Wanganui, New Zealand
Spouse
Anne Campbell
​
(m. 1854)​
Children14
OccupationFarmer

John Bryce (14 September 1833 – 17 January 1913) was a New Zealand politician from 1871 to 1891 and Minister of Native Affairs from 1879 to 1884. In his attitudes to Māori land questions, he favoured strict legal actions against Māori opposed to alienation, and he directed the invasion of Parihaka and the arrest of the movement's leaders.[1][2]

Described as stubborn and embittered to Māori questions, Bryce was the public face of a harsh policy towards Māori, but the Premier and other cabinet members supported his actions.[1]

Early life

John Bryce arrived in New Zealand as a child in 1840 and had little formal education.[2]

After a short time in the Australian gold-fields in 1851, he purchased a farm near Wanganui and remained a farmer for the next fifty years.[3]

Early political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1866–1867 4th Wanganui Independent
1871–1876 5th Wanganui Independent
1876–1879 6th Wanganui Independent
1879–1881 7th Wanganui Independent
1881–1884 8th Waitotara Independent
1884–1887 9th Waitotara Independent
1889–1890 10th Waipa Independent
1890–1891 11th Waikato Conservative

In 1859, Bryce started his political career. By 1862 he was representing his area in the Wellington Provincial Council, and by 1866 was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wanganui, a position he held for only a year before resigning due to ill-health.[1]

Titokowaru's War

Main article: Tītokowaru's War

When settlers were threatened by Māori led by Tītokowaru in 1867, Bryce volunteered and became a lieutenant in the Kai-iwi Yeomanry Cavalry Volunteers. Bryce was proud of his commission, but an incident at William Handley's woolshed in November 1868 clouded his military career. Initially, it was reported as an attack on a band of Hauhau warriors, killing two and wounding others, and where Bryce was "prominent and set the men a gallant example", according to his commanding officer. Later reports had the Māori as a group of unarmed boys aged from ten to twelve.[1]

The incident in which Bryce was alleged to have taken part was reported as an attack on women and children in the "History of New Zealand" published in 1883 and led to a successful libel action against the publisher George William Rusden. Ex-Governor Arthur Hamilton-Gordon supported publisher Rusden, but when the case went to trial, Bryce won and was awarded damages as it was proved no women were present at Handley's woolshed, and Bryce denied being directly involved. Gordon's involvement and the damaging trial publicity delayed his elevation to the British peerage.[4]

Minister of Native Affairs

Bryce (top left) in a cartoon depiction of the Whitaker Ministry

In 1871, Bryce was back in Parliament as MP for Wanganui to 1881, and then MP for Waitotara until 1887. From 1876 to 1879, he chaired the Native Affairs Committee and, between 1879 and 1883, was the Minister of Native Affairs. He expanded the powers of the Native Land Court to facilitate the sale of Māori land, reduced the scope of the Native Department, and enforced the law against any Māori resisting land confiscation and sales. These actions made him deeply unpopular with Māori, and Bishop Octavius Hadfield reported that west coast Māori called him Bryce kohuru (Bryce the murderer).[1]

Parihaka

Main article: Parihaka

The alienation of Taranaki land was challenged by Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi at Parihaka, and their followers cultivated and planted confiscated land. When Bryce became Minister in 1879, two hundred Māori ploughmen were already imprisoned, and his introduction of the Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Act in 1879 allowed them to stay in prison awaiting trial for up to two years. By January 1881, his actions were being questioned in the British parliament, and he resigned to be replaced by the more moderate William Rolleston.

Rolleston was to be Native Minister only until October 1881. In his last act, he proclaimed that Parihaka inhabitants had fourteen days to comply with the law or face confiscation of all their lands. Bryce became Native Minister, and on 5 November 1881, he was at Parihaka at the head of 1,600 Armed Constabulary to arrest the leaders and disperse the village.

In April 1882, Premier John Hall privately criticised Bryce to the Attorney General and said he would resign 'unless Bryce turned over a new leaf'. When Bryce heard of this, he resigned, and the Hall Government fell. Bryce was re-appointed Native Minister under Premiers Frederick Whitaker and Harry Atkinson from 1882 to 1884.[1]

Bryce lost his Waitotara seat in 1887. In 1889, Bryce was re-elected in 1889, this time to Waipa, and then in 1890 to Waikato. Some of his parliamentary supporters considered him a possible replacement for Premier Harry Atkinson. Briefly, he was Leader of the Opposition, but resigned from parliament in 1891 for refusing to withdraw his criticism of the Premier. The Speaker, William Steward, ruled the criticism unparliamentary. When Bryce refused to withdraw the words, "the House passed a vote of censure on him for not obeying the chair. He left the chamber, and never came back."[5]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Riseborough, Hazel (1993). "Bryce, John". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  2. ^ a b "John Bryce". nzhistory.govt.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 12 December 2019. He was variously described as a man of resolute will and sterling honesty; a persecutor and a tyrant; narrow-minded, opinionated and obstinate; and a man with embittered feelings on Māori questions.
  3. ^ "Brunswick". nzhistory.govt.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  4. ^ Historical Frictions. M. Belgrave. Auckland University Press 2005.P262
  5. ^ "The Father of the House". Marlborough Express. Vol. XXXIX, no. 155. 5 July 1906. p. 1. Retrieved 27 September 2013.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Bryce.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Native Affairs
1879–1881

1881–1884 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Succeeded by
Preceded by Leader of the Opposition
1891 		Succeeded by
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Wanganui
1866–1867
1871–1881
serving alongside William Fox and John Ballance 		Succeeded by
Henry Shafto Harrison
Succeeded by
New constituency Member of Parliament for Waitotara
1881–1887 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waipa
1889–1890 		Vacant
Constituency abolished, recreated in 1893
Title next held by
Frederic Lang
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waikato
1890–1891 		Succeeded by
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