1873–1875 Vogel Ministry

[1] Julius Vogel took office in 1873, William Fox having served in an interim capacity after the resignation of George Waterhouse.[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.[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.