The Place of Sir Robert Stout in New Zealand Social History

Abstract

Robert Stout, son of a merchant and landed proprietor, was born at Lerwick, Shetland Islands, in the year 1844 and there he remained, until at the age of nineteen, he migrated to New Zealand. In New Zealand, after being engaged for a few years in teaching, he entered the legal profession, was appointed Chief Justice in 1899, a position from which he retired in 1926. In this country he took a prominant part in public life, was, for some years, a member of Parliament and, for three years (1884-7), premier. He sought, both in, and out of Parliament, to promote what was, in his view, the welfare and enlightenment of his fellow citizens and, among such activities, may be instanced his militant agnosticism during the early days of his legal career in Dunedin, his staunch support of the Temperance Movement, and, to the end of his life, an ardent interest in education. He died on the 19th July, 1930. The following brief chronology indicates Stout's opportunity for playing a significant part in New Zealand's social history over a lengthy period: 1844: born in Shetland Islands. 1964: arrived in New Zealand - school teaching. 1871: admitted as barrister and solicitor. 1872-1875: member of the Otago Provincial Council. 1875-9, 1884-7, 1893-8: member of the House of Representatives; Attorney-general, Minister of Lands and Immigration – 1878-79; Premier - 1884-7 and Minister of Education - 1885-7. 1876: married. 1884-1930: member of the University Senate; Chancellor - 1903-1923. 1891-1898: member of the Council of Otago University. 1898-1909, 1910-15, 1918-23: member of the Council of Victoria University College; Chairman -1900, -01, 05. 1899: appointed Chief Justice. 1907-9: chairman of Stout-Ngata Native Land Commission. 1926-30: member of the Legislative Council. In this investigation Stout's activities in the Law Courts are excluded. The term 'social' is interpreted to exclude constitutional, political, and economic history except in so far as these aspects impinge closely on the mode of life of the people of New Zealand. Thus, when Stout sought to extend the franchise in 1878 in order to pave the way for social reforms, constitutional becomes relevant to social history. The aims of this enquiry are to select, and give due emphasis to, significant features of Stout's activities relevant to New Zealand social history, to discover what influences contributed to his policies, and to relate them to, and, as far as possible assess their influence on, New Zealand's social development. The basis of significance is taken to be two-fold: what is important to Stout and what is of importance in the social development of this country.