In the late 1840s, governors in successive colonies, starting with Nova Scotia in North America, were told to act as little more than referees when it was not clear which group could control the assembly. The governors gradually restricted themselves to control over limited policy areas, notably foreign policy, and to powers to veto legislation or reserve it for consideration in London. In the Australian colonies, beginning with New South Wales in 1842, partly elected assemblies were set up; in 1856 fully elected lower houses of the assemblies, to whom ministers were responsible, were established in four of these colonies (Lloyd, 1984).
a) Governors in the 1840s gained more power over policy areas in the colonies.
b) Nova Scotia was the first colony to establish fully elected lower houses in 1856.
c) The Australian colonies saw the establishment of partly elected assemblies in 1842.
d) Governors in the colonies transitioned to a more hands-off role, leaving assembly control to elected bodies.