GORST, SIR JOHN ELDON (1835-1916) was born at Preston, Lancashire, the son of Edward Chaddock Gorst, and was educated at Preston Grammar School. He matriculated at St John's College (1857-60). He chose the bar as a profession, but took a position at Rossall school to be near his sick father.

On his father's death Gorst returned to London and decided to go to the colonies. He sailed for New Zealand in the Red Jacket and on the voyage became engaged to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev Lorenzo Moore (Christchurch). They were married in Australia, and reached New Zealand in May 1860. On arrival in Auckland Gorst found the Maori King movement a constant subject of discussion and he wrote some letters to the New Zealander sympathising with them and deprecating the use of force to crush a weaker race. He intended offering his services to Bishop Selwyn, but came under the strong influence of Sir George Grey, who had just returned as Governor, and he was soon appointed inspector of native and missionary schools in the Waikato, with which he was expected to combine the duties of an intelligence office. While he was procuring timber for erecting an industrial school, Selwyn made the mission school at Otawhao available, with a farm of 200 acres, upon which young men from the Waikato tribes could be trained and educated in reading, writing and arithmetic and at mechanical trades. Implicit obedience to orders was demanded of all pupils. A hospital with a house surgeon and an itinerant surgeon was also projected.

Gorst soon established friendly relations with Wiremu Tamihana te Waharoa, Rewi, Te Heuheu and Tawhiao. Taking alarm at the progress being made, the King party published a Maori newspaper, the Hokioi, to propagate their views. Grey proposed publishing a rival paper, and Gorst accordingly issued from a special press at Te Awamutu Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke (the sparrow on the housetop). The reasoned replies of this newspaper offended the King natives, who complained of the 'bad mocking style' and Rewi threatened to sack the office. This was done by Aporo (on 24 Mar 1863), and the press and type were sent down the river to Te Ia. Rewi advised Grey to remove the magistrate, and promised a truce for three weeks. The King in council disapproved of Rewi's conduct, but on the advice of Wiremu Tamihana, Gorst decided to withdraw. The news from Taranaki of the occupation of Tataraimaka had further incensed the King leaders, and war seemed inevitable. Gorst accordingly left on 18 Apr 1863. On 11 Jul Grey issued a proclamation calling upon the natives to declare their loyalty and assist the troops. A few days later Gorst left for Australia, with F. D. Bell and Colonel Pitt, to recruit volunteers for the Waikato regiments.

Returning to England, Gorst was called to the bar at the Inner Temple (1865). He contested the Hastings seat in the Conservative interest in that year, and in 1866 was elected for Cambridge Borough. He soon attracted the attention of Disraeli, and when he lost his seat in 1868, he undertook to reorganise the party on a popular basis. Though its emphatic success in the elections of 1874 was largely due to Gorst's work, he was not given a place in the Conservative administration. In 1875 he took silk, and was again elected to Parliament (for Chatham). As a lawyer he gained considerable reputation. In the Parliament of 1880 he became associated with Lord Randolph Churchill (both having democratic tendencies), and later also with Drummond Wolff and Arthur Balfour, these four comprising a 'party' which put up effective criticism of the Government. He differed with Churchill in 1881 on the coercion bill, and on the leadership of the Conservative party.

When the control of the National Union of Conservative Associations was secured in 1884, Churchill made terms with Lord Salisbury without consulting Gorst, and the breach between them was widened by a difference over the franchise bill. When Churchill took office he obtained the Solicitor-generalship for Gorst who, however, would not accept an extension when the Government was reconstructed. He was appointed Under-secretary for India (1886). In 1884 he introduced Tawhiao to Lord Derby. In 1890 he was British plenipotentiary at a labour conference in Berlin; in 1891-92 Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and in 1895 vice-president of the Privy Council committee on education. He was genuinely interested in social reform. In 1902 Gorst retired on a pension. He retained his seat in the House of Commons, but when he declared himself a freetrader, against Chamberlain's tariff policy, he was rejected by Cambridge University, which he had represented since 1892.

Thereafter Gorst devoted himself to writing and speaking on social topics. His book, The Children of the Nation (1906), was a notable work. In 1906 Gorst revisited New Zealand. He surrendered his pension in 1909 to contest Preston as a Liberal.

Lady Gorst having died (1914), he married (1915) Ethel, daughter of Edward Johnson. His death occurred on 4 Apr 1916.

His son, Sir John Eldon Gorst (1861-1911), was British Agent and Consul-general in Egypt (1907-11).

D.N.B.; Gorst, The Maori King and New Zealand Revisited (p); Cowan (p); Rusden; Saunders; N.Z. Herald, 10 Sep 1884; The Times, 5 Apr 1916.

Reference: Volume 1, page 172

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