Chapter I.
Ancestry.
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pp.
1-
8 |
Chapter II.
The First Generation.—
Sir Francis Dillon Bell, 1822-1898.
Dillon Bell's early life—He joins the
New Zealand Company—His arrival in New Zealand—Various public activities—Friendship with Sir George Grey—Provincial and General politics—Agent-General—Letters to his son.
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pp.
9-
22 |
Chapter III.
Sir Francis Bell—His Birth and Early Days.
Birth in
Nelson—The family moves to Wellington—The earthquake of 1855—Romance of an earlier earthquake—The
Bell Block.
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pp.
23-
26 |
Chapter IV.
Early Days In
Auckland.
Hulme Court—
Auckland Grammar School—Boyhood adventures— Maori guests—An oratorical triumph—Refugees on a frigate.
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pp.
27-
34 |
Chapter V.
School Life In
Dunedin.
The family moves to Dunedin—Bell's High School days—Incidents of school life—His attachment to the school—An eloquent speech.
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pp.
35-
42 |
Chapter VI.
Legal Education In
England.
Cambridge—His legal studies—Sir John Holker, Q.C.—Called to the Bar—Negotiations for partnership with Mr. Izard—He meets Disraeli— Offer from Conservative Party—Bell's reminiscences.
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p.
43-
53 |
Chapter VII.
Sixty Years at The Bar.
He commences practice—Twice offered a Judgeship—The Hall trial— His Privy Council cases—Tributes from Lord Haldane and Lord Macnaghten —Law Reports—His services to the Legal Profession.
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pp.
54-
61
|
Chapter VIII.
Bell Enters Parliament.
The Election of 1890—Bell defeated—A by-election in 1892—Bell again defeated—The election of 1893—Bell is elected—He is plaintiff in a libel action—His work in Parliament.
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pp.
62-
73 |
Chapter IX.
Mayor Of
Wellington.
He becomes Mayor—The Drainage Scheme—City improvements—The Miramar proposal rejected—Municipal finance—Bell's great reform.
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pp.
74-
80 |
Chapter X.
Bell Becomes a Minister of The Crown, 1912.
The Massey Government takes office—Bell joins the Cabinet—His views on land tenure—The graduated land-tax—Immigration and tourists—Lord Bledisloe's views.
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pp.
81-
92 |
Chapter XI.
Legislative Council Reform.
Should the council be elective?—bell's efforts checked—a barren victory —political complications—the act still dormant.
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pp.
93-
104 |
Chapter XII.
The World War, 1914.
Massey's unique record—bell and sir john salmond—war legislation— death of captain bell—a ministerial crisis—conflict over convoy for troop ships.
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pp.
105-
116 |
Chapter XIII.
The National Government, 1915.
political stalemate—party negotiations—bell offers to resign—lord liverpool's appeal for unity—national government formed.
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pp.
117-
121 |
Chapter XIV.
Bell Fights For The Quakers.
The National Register—Conscription—Religious objectors—Conscientious objectors—Is there a distinction—Bell's victory and further difficulties with the Quakers.
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pp.
122-
130 |
Chapter XV.
Views On Various War Problems.
Agitation for repeal of Conscription—Australian experience—Prosecutions for sedition—Bell's argument with Mr. McCombs, M.P.—His defence of Sir James Allen—Soldier settlers.
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pp.
131-
143
|
Chapter XVI.
War Weariness—a Great Speech.
Depletion of single men—Complaints against War policy—Attacks in Legislative Council—Bell's reply to the critics.
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pp.
144-
152 |
Chapter XVII.
Bell As Attorney-General—Problems of Bench, Bar, and Juries.
He defends the Bar—Argument with the Judges—The rights of advocates—Judges' salaries—Jury reform and other problems.
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pp.
153-
168 |
Chapter XVIII.
Dissolution of National Government.
Election of 1919—Massey's victory—Bell's leadership of the Council— His administration and growing reputation.
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pp.
169-
172 |
Chapter XIX.
Acting Prime Minister, 1921.
Sectarian controversy and the censorship—Seditious literature—Mr. Holland, M.P., on censorship—Letters from Lord
Jellicoe.
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pp.
173-
189 |
Chapter XX.
He Initiates a New Forest Policy.
Outlines of his policy—Commissioner of State Forests—Conflicts with sawmillers—Bell threatens to resign—Results of his policy.
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pp.
190-
199 |
Chapter XXI
Bell Visits
London, 1922.
British citizenship—
Civis Britannicus sum—New Zealand out of step— Final change of policy—Bell is honoured by Prince of Wales—The Longueval Memorial.
|
pp.
200-
211 |
Chapter XXII.
The
League of Nations and
Samoa.
The Mandate—Bell at
League of Nations—Later developments—Samoan Policy.
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pp.
212-
222 |
Chapter XXIII.
Land Transfer Reform.
Two systems of titles—Objections to Deeds Registration system— Advantages of Land Transfer Act—Bell's plan to make Land Transfer titles universal—A great reform.
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pp.
223-
227
|
Chapter XXIV.
Massby's Last Parliament, 1923-1925.
The 1922 election—Massey's difficult position—Bell's views on situation— His second term as Acting Prime Minister—Massey's death.
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pp.
228-
236 |
Chapter XXV.
Bell Becomes Prime Minister, 1925.
His reasons for temporary leadership—He is succeeded by Coates— Letters to Lord
Jellicoe and
Sir James Allen.
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pp.
237-
244 |
Chapter XXVI.
The Coates Ministry, 1925-28.
The election of 1925—The Ministry is reconstructed—Letters from Bell to Ministers—Bell resumes office—The political sky darkens.
|
pp.
245-
250 |
Chapter XXVII.
Some Empire Problems and The
League of Nations, 1926.
Bell's work in
London—The Hague Tribunal—Bell at Geneva—He opposes Dominion representation on the Council—He attends Imperial Conference— The Statute of Westminster.
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pp.
251-
263 |
Chapter XXVIII.
New Zealand and The Empire.
Proposed Imperial Council—Sir John Sinclair's Views—Bell's objections— Lord
Milner's letter—Problems of foreign policy.
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pp.
264-
274 |
Chapter XXIX.
Out Of Office, 1928-1936.
Defeat of the Government—United Party takes office—Two parties or three?—Bell's views thereon—Currency problems—Public debt conversion.
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pp.
275-
288 |
Chapter XXX.
Conclusion—Personal Characteristics and Private Life.
Popular opinion of Bell—His relations with Massey—with deputations, Civil Service, and fellow-members—As a Freemason—The Waitangi Trust— Tributes to his generosity—His home life—The End.
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pp.
289-
309 |
Appendix. |
A.—Privy Council Cases
|
p.
310 |
B.—Early Days in
Dunedin
|
p.
312 |