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