1884–1887 Stout–Vogel Ministry
# 1884–1887 Stout–Vogel Ministry

The Stout–Vogel Ministry was the second responsible government to be formed in New Zealand. It formed in September 1884 and governed until October 1887. From the outset, Robert Stout served as Prime Minister as well as Attorney-General whilst Julius Vogel held the post of Minister of Finance. Initially, the ministry had lasted only two weeks, with Harry Atkinson managing to pass a vote of no confidence against Stout. However, Atkinson failed to establish his own government, and was supplanted by Stout and Vogel who remained in power for the next three years.

## Background

Vogel had the larger following in the coalition, but his poor health caused him to yield the premiership to Stout. Regardless, many observers still saw Vogel as the more dominant partner in the alliance. Both men were highly active in building consensus between the growing labour movement and middle-class liberalism. Both leaders were likeminded on social policy, however frequently clashed over financial policy.

At the time the ministry was formed, New Zealand was in a prolonged economic recession. As Treasurer, Vogel did what he could to promote recovery, including borrowing, though with little success. The initially hopeful populace lost faith that the government could restore economic prosperity, viewing that retrenchment was the only solution, not expansionism. Atkinson passed another motion of no confidence against the government on 28 May 1887. Stout was granted a dissolution, but the subsequent election went against the Ministry and Stout himself suffered the indignity of losing his own seat.

## Ministers

The following members served in the reconstructed Stout–Vogel Ministry:

| Name | Office | Term |
| - | - | - |
| Sir Robert Stout | Prime Minister | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Robert Stout | Attorney-General | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Robert Stout | Minister of Education | 8 January 1885 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Julius Vogel | Minister of Finance | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Julius Vogel | Postmaster-General | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Julius Vogel | Commissioner of Trade and Customs | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Julius Vogel | Commissioner of Telegraphs | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Sir Julius Vogel | Commissioner of Stamp Duties | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Edward Richardson, MLC | Minister of Public Works | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| John Ballance | Minister of Native Affairs | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| John Ballance | Minister of Defence | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| John Ballance | Minister of Lands | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| John Ballance | Minister of Immigration | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Joseph Tole | Minister of Justice | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| Patrick Buckley, MLC | Colonial Secretary | 3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887 |
| William Reynolds | Member of Executive Council | 3 September 1884 – 3 January 1885 |
| William Reynolds | Member of Executive Council | 3 June 1886 – 8 October 1887 |
| William Larnach | Minister of Mines | 5 January 1885 – 8 October 1887 |
| William Larnach | Minister of Marine | 5 January 1885 – 8 October 1887 |
