1873–1875 Vogel Ministry

The First Vogel Ministry was a responsible government which held power in New Zealand from April 1873 to July 1875.[1]

Background

Julius Vogel took office in 1873, William Fox having served in an interim capacity after the resignation of George Waterhouse. The personnel of the Ministry was initially the same as the Fox Ministry, except with the addition of Daniel Pollen leading the Government in the upper house after defecting from the Opposition.[2]

Mindful of the unsustainability of the logging industry, Vogel promoted a measure to create national forestry reserves, but was frustrated by provincial interests who saw this as an encroachment on the Provincial Councils’ powers over land management.[3] This was the trigger for this former provincialist to announce the abolition of provincial government.[3] The constitutional issue cut across the previous party lines (based on boosting or criticising the management of public works investment) and enabled supporters of Edward Stafford, such as Harry Atkinson, to join the Government.[4] Atkinson was one of the new Government supporters whose caution began to restrain the speed of the public works programme.[5] Another proponent of caution was existing Minister Edward Richardson.[6] However, the abolitionist turn alienated some of Vogel's original supporters: William Reynolds would only support abolition if the land funds were to remain allocated to provincial expenditure, but George O’Rorke wouldn't accept this.[7] He announced his resignation as Minister in the House without informing his Cabinet colleagues.[8] However, O’Rorke had also delivered a “lack-lustre performance” in office.[9] Another provincialist Minister, John Bathgate, threatened to defend Dunedin's custom-house with a company of volunteers - but was induced to join the judiciary instead.[10]

Continuation with the public works and immigration scheme became increasingly difficult as funds had already been committed which had not yet been borrowed on a tightening credit market, so Vogel resigned in 1875 to go to England for another £4 million loan.[11] Daniel Pollen stood in to replace him.

Ministers

The following members served in the Vogel Ministry:[12]

Name Portrait Office Term
Sir Julius Vogel
Premier 8 April 1873 - 6 July 1875
Colonial Treasurer 11 October 1872 - 6 July 1875
Postmaster-General 11 October 1872 - 1 September 1876
Telegraph Commissioner 8 April 1873 - 1 September 1876
Minister for Immigration 11 October 1873 - 10 September 1874
Sir Donald McLean
Minister for Native Affairs 11 October 1872 - 7 December 1876
John Bathgate
Minister of Justice 29 October 1872 - 20 February 1874
Commissioner of Stamps 29 October 1872 - 20 February 1874
George O'Rorke
Secretary for Crown Lands 24 October 1872 - 13 August 1874
Minister for Immigration 24 October 1872 - 11 October 1873
Minister of Justice 20 February 1874 - 13 August 1874
Commissioner of Stamps 4 March 1874 - 13 August 1874
William Reynolds
Commissioner of Customs 26 October 1872 - 15 February 1876
Colonial Secretary 14 April 1873 - 4 July 1873
Edward Richardson
Minister for Public Works 29 October 1872 - 4 January 1877
Wi Katene
Member of Executive Council 4 November 1872 - 15 February 1876
Wiremu Parata
Member of Executive Council 4 December 1872 - 15 February 1876
Daniel Pollen, MLC
Member of Executive Council 12 May 1873 - 6 July 1875
Colonial Secretary 4 July 1873 - 13 October 1877
Commodore James Graham Goodenough, RN
Member of Executive Council 17 October 1873 - 24 June 1874
Harry Atkinson
Secretary for Crown Lands 7 September 1874 - 1 September 1876
Minister for Immigration 10 September 1874 - 1 September 1876
Charles Bowen
Minister of Justice 16 December 1874 - 13 October 1877
Commissioner of Stamp Duties 16 December 1874 - 13 October 1877

See also

Notes
  1. Wilson, J. O. (James Oakley) (1985). New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. p. 65.
  2. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. p. 160.
  3. McLintock, Alexander Hare; Warwick Robert Armstrong, M. A.; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "VOGEL, Sir Julius, K.C.M.G." An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  4. Bassett, Judith (1969). Sir Harry Atkinson. Reed. p. 35.
  5. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Atkinson, Harry Albert". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  6. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Richardson, Edward". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  7. McLintock, Alexander Hare; Alexander Hare McLintock, C. B. E.; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "REYNOLDS, William Hunter". An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  8. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. p. 176.
  9. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "O'Rorke, George Maurice". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  10. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Bathgate, John". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  11. Dalziel, Raewynn (1986). Julius Vogel: Business Politician. Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press. p. 196.
  12. Wilson, J. O. (1985). Parliamentary Record of New Zealand (4th ed.). Wellington: Government Printer. p. 65.

References
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
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